Thank you to everyone who participated in the 2011 Alley Garden Awards program!  Stay tuned for information on the 2012 program, which will be available in Spring 2012. 

Get your gardens ready for the 2011 Alley Garden Awards:
Volunteers will start judging each alley in the neighborhood on Thursday, June 23rd and wrap up on Monday, June 27th.  If you see an Alley Garden Award volunteer judge out looking for qualifying gardens, please take the time to thank them for their hard work!

Nominate a great alley garden in your neighborhood:
Residents of Macalester-Groveland can nominate their own or a neighbor’s garden (or both!) for a 2011 Alley Garden Award.  Please complete the nomination form (attached below) and return it to the council office between Wednesday, June 1st and Monday, June 20th, 2011.   No nominations will be accepted after Monday, June 20th.

Tour award-winning alley gardens:
The 2011 Alley Garden Award Tour runs from Monday, July 11th through Sunday, July 17th.  Download the attached tour map or pick one up at the Edgcumbe or Groveland Recreation Center!

Awards are given to any garden that meets the following 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.
5. The garden fits the following definition as an area of land (which can also be contained within pots) used for the cultivation of flowers, vegetables, herbs, or fruit.

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.

Deter crime by gardening!
Planting a few perennials here and potting some plants there can make a huge difference in improving the aesthetics and safety of your home. In 1992, the Macalester-Groveland Community Council agreed that community beautification deters crime. In response, they started the Alley Garden Awards.

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.

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