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McCall, Idaho
2012 Winner - Under 3,000 Population Category
Detroit Fights Back

Let's face it: when you hear anything about Detroit, it's typically not good news. This once dynamic city has fallen on hard times, but some people with innovation and new ideas are working hard to change its image.

Can Murals Change a Neighborhood?
 

A New York community is using murals to beautify the neighborhood with art that has meaning. But the murals are doing more than just that - they're employing and engaging young people and giving them a constructive environment in which to express themselves. 

 


National Hockey League Team Helps Beautify Ohio's Capitol City 

Since America in Bloom is headquartered in Columbus, Ohio, we gotta show some love to our fine city. The Columbus Blue Jackets and season ticket holders recently teamed with Keep Columbus Beautiful to perform landscaping, clean up, and painting projects in a local neighborhood. 

 

Beirut: A Grassroots Push for More Grass

Decades of conflict have left Beirut without public parks. Functional public parks have been virtually nonexistent because Lebanon's civil war from 1975 to 1990 destroyed many parts of the city and encouraged people to stay indoors. While the city is going through something of a renaissance, municipal officials have prioritized building infrastructure and internet access over things like parks and greenery. But community leaders are starting to make parks an important part of the conversation.
AIB Past President's Message - Better Late Than Never: Revitalizing America's Cities
By Dr. Marvin Miller, Ball Horticultural Company and America in Bloom Past President

I recently received a phone call from a city hall employee from one of America's largest East Coast cities. This mayoral staffer asked if there were data on the sales of annuals for his "corner of the world," as he postulated that there were fewer annuals being used. His observation was that certain city neighborhoods were in decline, and he had noticed a decline in flowers being planted by residents as the neighborhoods deteriorated. His question was whether there were data to support his observation. While the question and observation certainly could lead to a "chicken-and-egg debate" about which occurs first - the lack of flowers or deterioration - the query brought to mind some history as it relates to the horticulture industry and to cities. Read more.
 
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Have a story to share? We would love to hear from you! Tell us about AIB activities in your community, or let us know about a community you have visited that should get involved with AIB. E-mail your story to Laura Kunkle, LKunkle@ofa.org.