As an integral part of its statewide mission, Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful embraces specific goals for litter control, beautification, and proper waste handling throughout Pennsylvania's natural and community environments. In fulfillment of this mission, KPB introduced a "Community Enhancement Award" recognition program to encourage individual and group participation in community enhancement projects throughout the Commonwealth. This program began in 2005-2006 with awards in the category of "Community Greening."

The Community Greening Award, developed in collaboration with the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, recognized gardens that serve as a community amenity by being open for public enjoyment. Fifteen gardens sprinkled across Pennsylvania met the criteria and received awards at the KPB Summit in Harrisburg on September 20, 2006.

Among the criteria that were used by volunteer judges to evaluate the green spaces for recognition were the following:

• First impression – How well does the design fit the context of the location or purpose of the project?

• Variety and suitability of plants – Do the choices provide year-round interest? Are they of a reasonable scale for the size of the site? Are there enough kinds of plants?

• Horticultural practice and maintenance – Is the plant material in good condition? Pruned? Weeded? Free of debris?

• Color and texture – Is there visual interest? Aesthetically pleasing?

• Use of space, design and total visual effect – Are the plants placed for maximum effect? Are site furnishings (if any) appropriate, safe and useful? Does the design integrate into a well-planned whole?

The following gardens and green spaces received the 2006 KPB Greening Award:

Brodheadsville - Adopt & Beautify Garden, Routes 209/115
Clarion - Peace Garden Route 322/Clarion River
Collegeville - Borough Hall Garden
Fairview - Buseck Community Park
Harrisburg - Capital Area Greenbelt Five Senses Garden
Harrisburg - Fairville Park Rain Garden
Hatboro - Welcome to Hatboro Sign Landscaping
Langhorne - Richardson House Community Garden
McKeesport - Renziehausen Park Arboretum & Rose Garden
Palmerton - Palmerton Borough Park
Phoenixville - Driver Perennial Garden
Pottstown - Pottsgrove Manor Colonial Revival Garden
Pottsville - Bunker Hill Playground Children's Garden
Springfield - Smedley Park Teaching Gardens (Delaware County)
Stroudsburg - Patricia Hoot Kresge Community Garden

In future years, KPB plans to expand the program to recognize other types of "Community Enhancement" projects, such as cleanup efforts or roadside planting projects.

Click here to download the nomination form for the 2007 Greening Awards.

To volunteer as a 2007 garden evaluator contact Barley Van Clief at: