October 5, 2008

Artesia News

Artesia learns from nationwide beautification contest


Earlier in 2008, the City of Artesia participated in a program called America in Bloom.  Two judges from America in Bloom visited Artesia in May and graded the city based on its efforts at beautification, especially with the use of flowering plants.

 

In October, City Manager Maria Dadian went to America in Bloom’s annual conference to view the results and to learn from the many workshops that were available to attendees.  “One of the first things that struck me was that very few of the other communities who participated had city government playing a major role in their program.  It was almost all volunteers from their communities.”

 

This has prompted a call for horticulturists, gardeners, and other plant lovers to attend a special Beautification & Maintenance Commission meeting on January 15 to discuss the issue of organizing a group of Artesians with ‘green thumbs’ that will focus on beautifying their community through the use of flowers and plants.  The meeting will begin at 6:30 p.m. at Artesia City Hall.

 

Dadian also noticed that Artesia was at a disadvantage, at least the first time around, compared to some of those cities.  “Many of the communities that were involved in America in Bloom come from rural areas, especially in New England, and so they have the additional advantage of having beautiful landscapes to accent their community.  Artesia is an urbanized city in Los Angeles.”

 

Dadian suggested to AiB that they include a program for urbanized cities, but she thinks that Artesia still has a fair chance in the program.  “One city won an award simply because they’ve incorporated recycling into their program.  That’s something we’ve been doing for a long time.”

 

“With a community group steering Artesia’s beautification rather than the city government, I believe Artesia will have a very good chance at getting a much higher grade in future America in Bloom Competitions,” said Dadian.

 

The City earned 3 out of 5 stars, and scored most of its points with the Pioneer and Artesia Blvd. medians, as well as the meandering sidewalk on Norwalk.  Many other points were given because of the efforts of residents who have kept up their homes with beautiful landscapes and gardens.

 

For more information, call Andrew at (562) 865-6262.



 

 

 

 

 

 

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