JACKSON, Tenn. – Nominations for the 2023 Mayor’s Civic Pride Awards are open to the public.
The annual Mayor’s Civic Pride Awards recognize individuals that take exceptional care in their properties, which includes keeping yards well kept, beautiful landscaping and/or hardscape, and overall curb appeal.
“We are beyond excited to celebrate our local citizens, individuals, companies, and organizations who have a passion for making and keeping their areas beautiful,” said Keep Jackson Beautiful Coordinator Danielle Wade. “Our hope is to inspire others to take pride in their area, whether that be their home or business; to show pride in being good stewards to our area."
A group of Master Gardeners will judge this year’s Civic Pride nomination entries in which five individual awards will be given from five areas within the city as well as five honorable mentions. There will also be a Commercial, Educational, and Religious Institution category with five awards given and three honorable mentions.
An Environmental Stewardship award will also be presented to an individual, company or organization that goes out of their way to do something that will better the planet such as a student instituting a recycling program at their school; a person who organizes regular litter pick-ups; a company that changes operating procedures to go greener and protect our planet.
"We look forward to highlighting residents and businesses with the Mayor's Civic Pride Awards again this year," said Mayor Scott Conger. "There are many people in our city who take care of their property and we want to be able to show our appreciation and let them know that their work in making our city beautiful doesn't go unnoticed."
Nominations forms and other information can be found by visiting http://civicpride.jacksontn.gov.
JUDGING CRITERIA
The total exterior appearance of the property as viewed from the street is evaluated. General criteria include the overall appearance, tidiness and neatness of the front of the property as evidenced by pruned plantings, defined lawns, and visually appealing borders & flowerbeds. Each of the following areas is rated on a 30 point scale and then totaled for an overall score (90 maximum points).
LAWN & HARD SURFACES: Grass should be healthy with minimal discoloration, bare spots, or weeds. Grass shall be mowed, and edged/trimmed around foundations, fences, and hard surfaces like sidewalks. Walkways and driveways should be clean (including trash containers or yard products removed from view).
LANDSCAPE & FLOWER BEDS: Beds should be weed free, and flowers should be dead-headed. Seasonal color by incorporating flowering annuals in encouraged. Dead plants should be removed, and shrubs and trees should be properly pruned. Landscape should be neat, and balanced with plantings in scale with the surroundings and complimentary to setting.
AESTHETICS: The overall look of landscaping (formal versus informal, use of color and textures, garden art) is important. The front entryway should be inviting, with original and creative touches to show personality (hanging baskets, pots, yard art, bird feeders, etc.)
Nomination Dates: May 1 – 31, 2023
Judging: June 1-12, 2023
Awards Presentation: Tuesday, June 27, 2023, 11:30 a.m. – West Tennessee AgResearch and Education Center