Beautification

2011 UDCA Beautification Award Winners
Here are the Top 10 Beautification Award winners for 2011, as determined by a panel of expert judges:

Darryl and Denise Dugans	Preston West
Margit Ervin	Terri Randall
Mary Farris	Kathy & Tom Bauer
Rainy Hamilton, Jr.	Pat Murray & Jim Edwards
Sharon Harper-Lee	Bill Lee

The winners received a certificate of appreciation from the community and a gift certificate from Blumz in Ferndale ("to bring some of the floral beauty they create inside", according to neighbor Jerome Raska).  Look for "Award Winner" sign in these 10 front yards!

The runners up are:

• Leonora Taylor
• Joe and Yukima Everette
• Robert and Carolyn Crisp
• Mary and John Bishop
• Gregory and Edna Adams
• Marjorie Thomas
• Holly Harrison
• Millicent Daniels
• Claudette & Frank Varner
• Cassandra & Gregory Leatherwood

Runners up received a certificate of appreciation from the community and a floral arrangement from Blossoms in Birmingham.

Judges making the final determination of the Top 10 Beautification Awards this year were: Brad Dick, Director of General Services for the City of Detroit; Nora Gessert, a Master Gardener and neighbor; and Rowena Robinson, an Advanced Master Gardener and neighbor. The UDCA and Garden Club thank all three for their interest, effort, and expertise in helping us conclude this project.

Look for another chance to participate in beautification awards in 2012. The Garden Club will be hosting a garden planning session for all homeowners in late winter, and we'll be looking for many volunteers to help us nominate, photograph, and vote on award winners between June 11 and July 15, 2012.

Our thanks to the UDCA Board and Beautification Committee, to the members and volunteers of the Garden Club, and to everyone in the community who gets outside and invests effort in the public face of the University District.

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2011 UDCA Beautification Awards Contest & Judging Criteria
A Project of the University District Garden & Landscape Club and University District Community Association

New in 2011, the UDCA “Best in Show” Beautification Awards program honors property owners who present an attractive, well-thought out landscape to the neighborhood and the community in their front garden. “Best on Show” recognizes properties which, through landscaping efforts, help make our community a more inviting and beautiful place to live and work. The awards are given for beautification that enhances the curb appeal of the individual building and the entire neighborhood. 

Up to 10 awards are given annually to residents and institutions within the University District, and to businesses bordering the District.  An award may be made to an entire block.* The residents or  representatives of each qualifying property will be invited to a presentation of award certificates where the winning properties will be recognized.    

A “Best on Show” sign will be placed at each winning property for the months of August and September. (In mid-October, the signs will be collected for reuse the following year.)  A map of the blocks having winning properties will be available on the UDCA website and in the September newsletter.

All front yards visible from public sidewalks within and bordering the University District will be considered. Nominations of yourself or a neighbor by mail, phone or email are welcomed.

Judging will take place in mid-July, using the following the grading scale:

Components of the planting meld together in a harmonious design; there are groupings which show some variety and the overall design draws attention to the house.	25 points
The plants, to include shrubs, flowers, ground cover, create color and texture. At least three of these elements are incorporated in the landscaping.	25 points
The maintenance of the landscape is reflected in edged beds with friable soil and/or mulched, trimmed and pruned shrubs and trees, a minimum of weeds and the entire landscape has an appearance of neatness and plant health.	25 points
Hardscape: cement work, pavement, walkways are in good condition; masonry borders are level and neatly in place; hardscape does not dominate.	10 points
Grace notes: unusual, difficult to grow, rare or unusual plants, shrubs or ornamentals; espalier; sculpture; out-of-the-ordinary house numbers or lighting which highlights the landscape, or use of rock or other materials in a creative way.	10 points
Extra points for using every part of the front landscape.	5 points

Properties must score 80 to be considered for a Beautification Award and 85 or more to receive an award . Members of the UDCA Garden Club will complete initial screening; final awards will be decided by a panel of judges representing the Garden Club, the UDCA, and a landscaping and gardening expert from outside the neighborhood.

For more information, contact: Mary Leonard at (313) 345-8036 or email UDCAGardens@gmail.com

* This UDCA awards program is distinct from Mayor Bing's “Beautify Your Block” program. UDCA residents are encouraged to participate in both.  Information about the Mayor's program is available from the Community Access Centers.

 

Community Projects

• Master Plan and Traffic Flow
• Pots & Plantings
• Signage
• Dog Park
• Blight

UDCA Garden Club Update

The Garden Club will go into dormancy until February 13, 2012 due to the holiday season.

The UDCA Garden Club is about to become a member of the Detroit Garden Center.  You will be getting emails announcing events and will be eligible for member rates for classes, including the Winter Gardening Education Series:  January 21, Janet Macunovich on "Planting for Color 8 Months a Year", January 28 an arborist will talk about native Michigan trees for our yards, and February 4, 2012, a workshop on propagating different kinds of plants. All programs will be held from 9:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. at Historic Trinity Lutheran Church, 1345 Gratiot.  These classes are highly recommended - Janet especially is an engaging and funny lecturer.

The next meeting is planned February 13, 2012 at Gesu.  I’m planning to have folks from Gloryland Community Garden talk about what they’re doing and how to volunteer.  We’ll also brainstorm ideas for meetings for the rest of the gardening season.

Finally, let me know if you’re interested in helping plan a neighborhood workshop on garden planning and yard beautification to be held in late March. 

See you when the snowdrops bloom!

For more information about the UDCA Garden Club, contact:
Mary Leonard
at (313) 345-8036