And the winners are...

Buffalo Rising 3

By Peter Burakowski:

Over the last two weeks, a lot has happened on North Parade Ave. in Buffalo.

Landscapers transformed all 19 front yards on the block between Fillmore Ave. and Northampton St., donating more than $200,000 of labor and materials while sweating it out in 90 degree heat.

More than 1,000 members of the community voted for their favorite yards in person and online at www.nationalgardenfestival.com.

And on Wednesday, July 21, the landscapers and homeowners came together at the Western New York State Nursery and Landscape Association's annual picnic to learn the final results of the National Buffalo Garden Festival's Front Yard Garden Competition. And here they are:

People's Choice awards were given in two categories, based on the size of the gardens constructed.

People's Choice for Large Gardens:
• 1st Place: The English Gardener, Ltd., 28/36 N. Parade Ave.
• 2nd Place: Birch Grove Landscaping, 2 N. Parade Ave.

People's Choice for Small Gardens:
• 1st Place: T. O'Donnell Landscaping, 40 North Parade
• 2nd Place: Murray Brothers Nurseries, 44 N. Parade Ave.
• 3rd Place: Menne Nursery, 72 N. Parade Ave.
• Honorable Mention: S & R Greenleaf Landscaping, 48 N. Parade Ave.
• Honorable Mention: Birch Grove Landscaping, 68 N. Parade Ave.

In addition to the public voting, a team of gardening experts reviewed the gardens and bestowed several technical and special awards:

Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy Awards:
• Large Gardens:
1st Place: Birch Grove Landscaping, 2 N. Parade Ave.
2nd Place: The English Gardener, Ltd., 28/36 N. Parade Ave.
• Certificate of Appreciation: Lockwood's Greenhouses, for donation of container plants
Buffalo & Erie County Botanical Gardens Awards:
• Outstanding Garden Award: T. O'Donnell Landscaping, 40 N. Parade Ave.
• Honorable Mention for Best Use of Humor: Birch Grove Landscaping, 2 N. Parade Ave.
• Honorable Mention for Creativity: Beyond the Basics, 60 N. Parade Ave.
8th District Federated Garden Club's Community Spirit Award:
• Dore Landscape Associates
Buffalo Green Fund/Buffalo in Bloom Award:
• Elbers Landscape Service, Inc., 80 N. Parade Ave.
Buffalo Museum of Science Award for Curb Appeal, Low Maintenance and Originality:
• Beyond the Basics Property Services, Inc., 60 N. Parade Ave.
Buffalo Spree Award for Artistic Vision:
• Johnson's Nursery, 16 N. Parade Ave.
Niagara County Community College Awards
• Plant Selection Award: Birch Grove Landscape, 2 N. Parade Ave.
• Professional Skills Award: T. O'Donnell Landscaping, 40 N. Parade Ave.
• Student Favorite Award: Elbers Landscape Service, Inc., 80 N. Parade Ave.
• Superhero Award: Dore Landscape Associates
Media Choice Awards:
• Large Garden Award (tie):
Birch Grove Landscaping, 2 N. Parade Ave.
The English Gardener, Ltd., 28/36 N. Parade Ave.
• Small Garden Award:
Murray Brothers Nurseries, Inc., 44 N. Parade Ave.
WNY Hosta Society Award for Best Use of Perennials:
• Pace Landscaping, 52 N. Parade Ave.
Buffalo Niagara Convention & Visitors Bureau Awards:
• Architectural Interest Award: Johnson's Nursery, 16 N. Parade Ave.
• Art and Décor Award: Beaver Landscaping, Inc., 56 N. Parade Ave.
• Community Vision Award: Neil Stern, president of the Western New York State Nursery & Landscape Association
Chairman's Award for Sustainability:
• S & R Greenleaf Landscaping, 48 N. Parade Ave.
Western New York State Nursery & Landscape Association:
• CNLP Award for Excellence: T. O'Donnell Landscaping, 40 N. Parade Ave.
• Special Recognition for Community Service: Dore Landscape Associates
North Parade Block Club Certificate of Appreciation:
• Neil Stern, president of the Western New York State Nursery & Landscape Association
Certificates of Appreciation:
• Myrna Draper
• Shirley Tilson

Check out before and after photos of each house here.

The organizers of the Front Yard Garden Competition, which included the Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy, the Western New York State Nursery & Landscape Association, the New York State Certified Nursery and Landscape Professionals, the Buffalo Niagara Convention & Visitors Bureau, and the National Buffalo Garden Festival organizing committee, are already beginning to plan for next year's competition.

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Comments

3 Comments Leave a comment

LouisTully

July 23, 2010 10:05 AM

PEEEEETTTTEEEE!!!!!

[ Reply ]

Score: 0 ( 0 votes )

JohnQBuffalo

July 23, 2010 6:40 PM

This is probably one of the single best community volunteer ideas in the last few years.

I am really a big fan of Retree Buffalo (thought it was that that it took the October Storm (2007 I think) to rally Buffalo around planting trees as a community effort.

This is different. There are quite a few Buffalonians who do not understand the potential of their home. If you cant get them to maintain their roof, clean their gutters, reglaze and wash their windows, paint their exterior, etc (simple and basic maintenance) as a part of contributing to the value of their property then how can you expect someone to consider planting a tree and landscaping as adding value to their home.

Some are lazy (sure no doubt), some are poor (though most maintenance isnt expensive but time consuming) and others are either elderly or poor and simply belong in apartments rather than private residences because they are ignorant of the responsibilities.

For those who want and accept the responsibilities of home ownership this volunteer/charity landscaping takes ignored homes and reveals their potential character. What makes the impact stunning is how changing a group of homes change the character of an entire neighborhood.

I doubt people will think of the Humboldt (Kings) Park area in the same dreary run down grey way they once did.

Last word: I would recommend the Masten, Front Park and Black Rock areas too!

Score: -1 ( 1 votes )