Holland Shines At American In Bloom Symposium!

olland, Michigan proudly hosted the 2015 America in Bloom Symposium and Awards Program on September 24-26   This national conference, themed “Celebrating Heritage...Cultivating the Future” was a celebration of community development efforts across the country and an educational opportunity for anyone interested in participating in the America in Bloom national awards program.

America in Bloom (AIB) is an independent, non-profit organization that envisions communities across the country as welcoming and vibrant places to live, work, and play - benefitting from colorful plants and trees; enjoying clean environments; celebrating heritage; and planting pride through volunteerism.  The City of Holland entered the national competition for the 5th consecutive year, having won its population category and one criteria award in each of the past four years.  The City was also admitted to AIB’s “Circle of Champions” by virtue of the awards received.  

The Holland in Bloom Committee is delighted to report that the City of Holland was recognized with the following significant awards and recognitions:

Winner of the Outstanding Achievement Award for Floral Displays.  This is the fifth (out of five!) consecutive year that Holland has been recognized for Outstanding Achievement in one of the six criteria evaluated by America in Bloom judges, and the second consecutive year of winning in the Category of Floral Displays.   Previous recognition was for Tidiness (now called Overall Impression) in 2011, Environmental Efforts in 2012, and Historic Preservation in 2013. 

Winner of the Champions Category - Mid-Sized Cities.  The new Champions Category is an elite category for communities that have won three population and/or outstanding achievement awards over the years.  Holland and three award-winning communities from California, Colorado and Missouri competed for this prestigious recognition.

The City of Holland was also the recipient of a 5-bloom rating, the highest possible under the judges' evaluation system.  Again, this is the fifth consecutive year Holland has received a 5-bloom rating.

Steve Zwiep, Parks Supervisor and member of the Holland in Bloom Committee, said, “We are truly honored to receive this extraordinary recognition from our peers and the America in Bloom organization.  It is especially gratifying to receive these awards while hosting the symposium in Holland.  We had a wonderful time sharing the significant efforts of everyone in the public and private sector –individuals, businesses, community organizations, and government  - that help to make our community a place of pride and beauty”.

Contact:     Steve Zwiep, Parks Supervisor, s.zwiep@cityofholland.com, or Andy Kenyon, Director of Parks and Recreation,a.kenyon@cityofholland.com; at 616.928.2450.