Westfield Earns Four-Bloom Rating for Environmental Awareness

After winning two awards at the America in Bloom contest last year, Westfield received a four-bloom rating for its environmental awarness efforts from the AIB Symposium and Awards Program in Washington, D.C. Awards were announced on Saturday, Oct. 8.

According to its mission statement, the AIB competition is one that “promotes nationwide beautification through education and community involvement by encouraging the use of flowers, plants, trees, and other environmental and lifestyle enhancements.”

While the organization was started a decade ago, it wasn't until three years ago, under the guidance of Dave Williams of and Sherry Cronin, the Executive Director of the that Westfield formed a Bloom organization.

Williams, who owns the garden center that has been in his family for four generations, said he heard of the organization through his connections in the industry.   

“I think there is a high level of maintenance that is already involved in our community,” he said.

The awards were determined based on a multi-day visit from a two-person judging panel in July. The judges look at the town's entire package, including landscaping, plantings in the downtown, individual gardens, parks and historic preservation.

Each participating town is evaluated by the judges who critique the town according to eight criteria: tidiness, environmental awareness, community involvement, heritage preservation, urban forestry, landscaped areas, floral displays and turf and ground cover areas.

After winning the population category for towns of 25,000 to 50,000 people last year, Westfield lost this year to Holland, Mich, which is modeled after the country known for its beautiful parks and flowers.

Williams said he was disappointed they did not win in that category, but he was not totally surprised. The hot and muggy weather played a major role in the appearance of the town when the judges came, he said.

“Things didn’t look green and lush,” he said. Because of the weather, the hanging baskets and plants did not bloom, he said.

For the past three years Cronin and volunteers have found ways to beautify Westfield. Cronin said the criteria in 2011 was tougher than last year.

“It’s about community involvement and making the town look nice,” Cronin said.

Cronin said winning is not important compared with participating and beautifying the town. She said Williams encouraged her and other residents to get involved and, through his guidance, the town became green and beautiful. By hanging baskets and plants throughout the downtown area and installing solar panels in the library, Westfield is taking a step in the right direction, Cronin said.

“As you build awareness over time, it will continue to grow,” she said. “Whether we’re in the competition or not we still like to have flowers downtown. Even though we didn’t win the big prize this year the community is all better for having participated.”