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Neighborhood Beautification Award program

Spring 2011 Neighborhood Beautification Winner

Port St. Lucie residents who take pride in the appearance and maintenance of their properties have the opportunity to be formally recognized for their efforts by the City of Port St. Lucie.

Nominate yourself or your neighbor for the Keep Port St. Lucie Beautiful Neighborhood Beautification Award, a recognition bestowed on the property owner who demonstrates above-average efforts in maintaining his or her property and contributing to the overall appearance of the community.

See more detailed program guidelines and judging criteria below.

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. Please put "Neighborhood Beautification Award Nomination" and the property address in the subject line.

Or, if you prefer you can mail a nomination to:

Keep Port St. Lucie Beautiful Committee
Neighborhood Beautification Program
121 S.W. Port St. Lucie, Blvd., Building B
Port St. Lucie, FL 34984

If you are not the owner of the nominated property, please be sure to make nominations only after obtaining consent from the property owner.

Evaluation periods are as follows:

• May (nomination period is the month of April)
• August (nomination period is the month of July)
• November (nomination period is the month of October)

To be considered for an award, nominations must be received by the last day of the nomination month.

The winning yard will be announced by the KPSLB Committee approximately two weeks after the close of the nomination period and the resident notified.

Award

The owner of the top yard selected will receive a "KPSLB Neighborhood Beautification Award" sign, to be displayed on his or her property until a new winner is announced by the Committee. In addition to recognition on the city's Web site and television station, the winner of the award will receive the following:

• Family pass to the Port St. Lucie’s Botanical Gardens (valued at $50)
• One year membership to Sam's Club

Program guidelines

• All residential yards within the city limits are eligible (homeowner or renter)

• Award winners are selected based on the recommended judging criteria listed below

• The upkeep of the yard can reflect the efforts of the residents themselves or that of a professional landscaper or groundskeeper

• Key criteria include an environmentally-friendly manicured yard, beautification, originality and creativity

• Award term is three months

• The same property cannot receive more than one award in the same rolling 12-month calendar period

• Residents may nominate their own properties or that of a neighbor with permission from that neighbor

• Not open to City of Port St. Lucie employees or members of their immediate households

Judging criteria

Nominees 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 and 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.