News

County improves score in outdoor beauty

By Bill Moss, Published: October 22, 2015

Henderson County received a score of “4 Blooms” from the America in Bloom national program for 2015, an increase of  9 percent from last year’s score of “3 Blooms."

Henderson County received “4 Blooms" out of a possible 5, or a score of 77.3 percent, improving over last year's score of 68 percent. Points are awarded for judges’ evaluation of Floral Displays, Landscaped Areas, Urban Forestry, Environmental Efforts, Heritage Preservation and Overall Impression. Henderson County was nominated for the Best Downtown Street Design and Heritage Preservation, Overall Impression. Committee member Carol Elliot was nominated for the Champion Award. The America in Bloom judges were particularly impressed with the Park at Flat Rock for its vision, long-term planning and incorporation of community support, the county Tourism Development Authority said in a news release.

America in Bloom judge Jack Clasen will visit Hendersonville on Wednesday to report on the committee's evaluation. During a meeting at the City Operations Center at 1:30 p.m. he will be giving one-one advice to the Henderson County America In Bloom committee and the community and offer suggestions on how to enhance Henderson County’s assets.

Clasen has been an American In Bloom since 2002. He visited Hendersonville in 2014 as one of the judges and returned after the awards were announced for a workshop. His expert advice has been invaluable to the Henderson County AIB committee. He is chair of the National Awards Program Committee and judge coordinator for American In Bloom.