Get your gardens ready!  Volunteers will start judging each alley in the neighborhood on Friday, July 2nd and finish no later than Saturday, July 10th.  If you see an Alley Garden Award volunteer out judging, please take the time to thank them for giving their time to the Alley Garden Awards! 

New this year:  Nominate a great alley garden in your neighborhood!  Residents of Macalester-Groveland can nominate their own or a neighbor’s garden for a 2010 Alley Garden Award.  Please complete the nomination form (attached below) and return between Monday, June 28 and Thursday, July 1, 2010.  No nominations will be accepted after Thursday, July 1, 2010.  

Planting a few perennials here and potting some plants there can make a huge difference in improving the aesthetics and safety of your property. In 1992, the Macalester-Groveland Community Council agreed that community beautification deters crime. In response, they started the Alley Garden Awards, which are given to any resident who meets the following four criteria:

Alley Garden Award Criteria

1. The property must have an easily recognizable house number on the garage (or elsewhere in the alley if there is no garage).

2. The garden must be along the alley and on the alley side of any fence.

3. The alley garden must be weed-free and well-maintained along the entire property line.

4. The alley side of the property must positively contribute to the character and beauty of the alley by being litter free and neat.

Garden: A garden is an area of land (which can also be contained within pots) used for the cultivation of flowers, vegetables, herbs, or fruit.

If your alley doesn't already meet the criteria, consider making a change. Prepare your alleyside property in time for the Alley Garden Awards and help prevent garage burglaries and other crimes facilitated by unkempt property.

The Alley Garden Awards generally take place in June or July. You can nominate yourself or a neighbor, or just wait for volunteer judges to walk down your alley and identify qualifying alley gardens.

In the fall, all Alley Garden Award winners will be invited to a ceremony to recognize their efforts to beautify their alleys and reduce crime in their neighborhood.

For more information about the Alley Garden Awards, please contact Lauren at lauren@macgrove.org or 651-695-4000.