Neighborhood Beautification Program
Program Guidelines

1. All residential yards within the city limits are eligible (homeowner or renter).
2. Award winners are selected based on the recommended judging criteria listed below.
3. The upkeep of the yard can reflect the efforts of the residents themselves or that of a professional landscaper or groundskeeper.
4. Key criteria include an environmentally-friendly manicured yard, beautification, originality and creativity.
5. An award duration term lasts for three months.
6. The same property cannot receive more than one award in the same rolling 12 month calendar period.
7. Residents may nominate their own properties or that of a neighbor with permission from that neighbor.
8. Not open to City of Port St. Lucie employees or members of their immediate households.

Judging criteria

KPSLB Yard of the Quarter candidates are judged on the total exterior appearance of their property and front yard. All nominations will be considered for the top 10 list. After the top 10 list has been compiled, each resident will be notified that KPSLB committee members will perform a visual inspection of each property by examining the criteria listed below. General upkeep of the yard and property is paramount.

Factors include the overall appearance, tidiness and neatness of the front of the property as evidenced by pruned, trimmed & shaped foliage, edged and defined lawns, borders & flower beds, and a visually appealing facade.

Lawn: Healthy green grass is prevalent without excessive weeds. Grass is mowed and edged, and grass around foundations and fences is trimmed. Debris (garbage, pet feces, etc.) is picked up and removed. The ideal lawn will have a unified, simple and balanced landscape design that is neat and natural.

Landscape and flower beds: Beds are weeded, edged and mulched. Flowers are deadheaded and dead plants removed. Trees and shrubs are pruned. Natural areas are cleaned. Beautification efforts are visible, including new flowers, new trees, new shrubs, etc. Plantings are in scale with the surroundings and limited to a few different types of plants rather than too many, which may confuse the eye.

Walkways and driveways: Walkways and driveways are clean and stain-free (including trash containers or yard products removed from view). The front of the property is free from debris and dirt.

Aesthetics: Overall look of landscaping (formal versus informal, use of color and textures, garden art). Inviting look of front entryway (hanging baskets, pots, cleanliness, etc.) Originality/creativity (any special touches of the resident i.e., yard art, bird feeders, etc.).

Summary note: While lack of strict adherence to the criteria above does not necessarily result in a disqualification, these principles offer general guidelines that are recognized by the KPSLB Committee when conducting an inspection.

Nomination and evaluation periods

Nominations must be submitted with a picture of the property and contact information and may contain in 100 words or less a brief summary of why the property deserves recognition.

Nominations may be e-mailed to kpslb@cityofpsl.com or mailed to:

Please include the address in the subject line of your email.

Keep Port St. Lucie Beautiful Committee
Neighborhood Beautification Program
450 SW Thornhill Drive
Port St. Lucie, FL 34984

Evaluation periods are as follows:

• April (nomination period is February and March)
• July (nomination period is May and June)
• October (nomination period is August and September)

All nominations must be received by the end of the second month in the nomination period to be considered. The winning yard will be selected by the KPSLB Committee approximately 2 weeks after the close of the nomination period and the resident notified.

Award

The top yard selected will receive an official “KPSLB Neighborhood Beautification Award” sign, to be displayed on their property for the duration of three months. The position of the sign should be prominent in the yard that is visible from the street. Additionally, winning properties will be displayed on the KPSLB Web site and on the city’s television bulletin board on PSL-TV20.

In addition, the winner will receive a family pass to Port St. Lucie’s Botanical Gardens, valued at $35, which will be valid for all of 2010. The pass will entitle the winner to attendance at meetings of the Friends of the Botanical Gardens, the grand opening party, discounts on merchandise at the gift shop and advanced notice of events.

Keep Port St. Lucie Beautiful encourages all residents to join the effort of keeping their yards and homes beautiful.