america in bloom 2012 evaluation form kit/sample... · america in bloom . 2012 evaluation form....

1 Lakeside, OH 2012 All rights reserved. © America in Bloom 2012

America in Bloom 2012 EVALUATION FORM

Municipality: Lakeside, Ohio Population Category: 3,001-4,500 Visiting Dates: June 28-29, 2012 Judges Names: Diane Clasen and Bill Hahn America in Bloom promotes nationwide beautification through education and community involvement by encouraging the use of flowers, plants, trees and other environment and lifestyle enhancements. All judging criteria will be adjusted to the climate and environmental conditions of the municipality. The judges’ report is based on efforts in management, planning, maintenance, improvement, and innovation of each of the following criteria: Criteria Actual Points Possible Points

1. Floral Displays 136.00 175.00

2. Landscaped Areas 105.00 175.00

3. Urban Forestry 114.00 175.00

4. Environmental Efforts 104.00 175.00

5. Heritage Preservation 135.00 175.00

6. Overall Impression 94.00 125.00

Total 688.00 1000

% 68.80%

Bloom Rating 3

Five blooms = 85% Four blooms = 72.50–84.95% Three blooms = 60.00–72.45% Two blooms = 45.00–59.95% One bloom = <45.00% Yellow fields are automatically calculated – please do not type in them. To update a field, highlight the cell and press F9. To update calculations in the entire document, choose Select All, then press F9.) Community representatives met: (including email) Name:Kevin Sibbring Title:Pres & CEO, Lakeside Chautauqua

Name:Shirley Stary Title:VP, Programming, Lakeside Chautauqua

Name:Gretchen Colon Title:VP, Advancement, Lakeside Chautauqua

Name:Jeanne Mauriocourt Title:Dtr, Education, Lakeside Chautauqua


General Comments and Suggestions:

Suggestions are indicated in italics. Congratulations Lakeside, for placing a high value on quality of life, and for embarking on a quest with America in Bloom which we hope will further enhance many facets of life for your residents and visitors. Lakeside is no traditional community, but is definitely a destination! Better known as Lakeside Chautauqua, established in 1873 by the Methodist Movement to feed the body, mind and spirit, this theme seemed to set a “homing device” in visitors and residents who enthusiastically echoed loyalty, love and pride of place. Third and fourth generation returnees were not uncommon, proving that commitment to quality draws people in. We acknowledge Lakeside’s unique non-profit status and governance as a Chautauqua community. As such, a brief attempt at a mission statement might be to improve the whole person – “to enlarge, refine and ennoble the individual,” quoting the co-founder John Vincent. Further elaboration is necessary to describe the impact of the Chautauqua Movement that so shaped the country’s culture from the 1870s to the 1930s. Suffice it to say as some suggest, it was the first form of mass culture in America; with Teddy Roosevelt hailing Chautauqua as “the most American thing in America.” Knowing you’re a seasonal community, swelling from 200+/- to perhaps 10,000 for the summer months, it appears your community may enjoy and suffer similar plights as our state or national parks – so adored, so fraternized, often overused. Certainly you’ve realized this and evident steps to limit autos, preserve cultural heritage, expand greenspace, as well as promote tree canopy cover and environmental sustainability are applauded. Yet it may be beneficial to review some of the strategies employed by national parks, theme parks and other popular destinations to minimize some of the less obvious problems such as soil compaction, nutrient deficiencies, pedestrian traffic control and trash removal, energy conservation, etc. Such seeming novelties as solar powered, compacting trash receptacles that signal when full, self- watering planters, LED streetlights with dimmers that save power from 12:00-6:00 a.m. and central irrigation controllers that manage multiple locations and turn off leaking zones or with weather stations that prevent watering during a rain event; all save labor, energy, resources and enhance the environment. Consider these valuable tools to reduce costs and facilitate management. A debriefing is recommended with the community and committees regarding the AIB effort, sharing expectations, goals, inspiration and accomplishments through the effort. Ask for their feedback as well. The forum for this may be The Lakesider, website or other public venue. In a similar vein, you may want to consider modifying the community profile book into a promotional booklet for Lakeside, with a quality of life emphasis. Several other communities have done so, producing a hard cover coffee table photo gallery with commentary, or a shorter soft cover version to be given to visitors or potential visitors, or both. The hard cover version could be sold to cover costs or function as a fundraiser. Staff or volunteers are also encouraged to seek certifications to deepen their field of interest or responsibility. Adding staff, or better, consulting to cover key technical areas is always an option. Finally, we’d like to express our deep appreciation to Kevin, staff and volunteers for making our stay so enlightening and enjoyable. We look forward to your continued participation in America in Bloom. Diane Clasen and Bill Hahn


1. Floral Displays Flower beds, containers, baskets, window boxes. Arrangement, originality, distribution, location, diversity, balance, harmony, quality of maintenance. Use and integration of annuals, perennials, ornamental grasses, bulbs, and seasonal flowers.

Max points

Actual Score

Municipal Leadership and plan of action for floral displays 20 14 Concept and design, variety of plantings, overall effect 20 15 Maintenance and quality of displays 20 16 Design for all seasons 15 11

Business Concept and design, overall effect 15 12 Maintenance and quality of displays 15 12

Residential Concept and design, overall effect 15 12 Maintenance and quality of displays 15 12

Community Involvement Volunteer involvement in design, planting, and maintenance of floral displays 20 16 Financial and in-kind contributions to floral displays 20 16

Total (the fields automatically calculate – do not type in them) 175.00 136.00

Comments and suggestions:

The Lakeside community is bursting with floral displays and many of these displays are planted and cared for by volunteers. Individuals have different floral preferences and different growing conditions (sun, shade, soil pH, soil quality, and soil quantity), but each volunteer manages to discover what plants will work best for their garden and the creation of the individual gardens is both beautiful and excellent.

We were particularly delighted with the George Baker Gunlach Memorial Garden, a full sun floral bed that not only was a beautiful sight to behold, but was also habitat for birds, butterflies (it is a certified monarch butterfly waystation), bees and other pollinators, and no doubt a favorite meeting place for other native wildlife.


Many residences were surrounded with exuberant displays that took advantage of their setting and architecture. For the past seven years Lakeside has been holding a garden tour. This year’s tour features 17 gardens.

• You may want to add another element to the garden tour such as artists displaying their artwork in the garden and/or artists creating their art in the garden (and possibly selling their work). This will appeal to a group of people who would not necessary attend a garden-only tour and enlarge your attendance. The event can be held for more than one day with perhaps different gardens and artists on different days. It can also be an effective fundraiser.

Flowering hydrangeas were used to great effect as landscape plants that enhanced the floral displays.

During our visit we were delighted to see many bouquets throughout the community.

• There is not a florist in Lakeside. You may want to ask residents if this is a service they would like to see added in the business district.


One resident, Jan Hilty, planted a community herb garden with 25 species of herbs and flowers that would not only be of interest to residents and visitors, but would also attract birds and butterflies. The herbs were available for harvesting by anyone who would use them. The herbs are often used in the kitchens of Hotel Lakeside and the Cafe. The herb garden became a center of interest in the community and Mrs. Hilty began sharing her knowledge about herbs informally. Her students began helping her maintain the garden. Learning about herbs became so popular that an Herb Study program was created in 2010 which now meets regularly in the Train Station. The Herb Study has an average weekly attendance of 30 or more people. This is a wonderful example of how one small act can affect so many people. We were delighted to see that there is also an herb garden adjacent to the art center with herbs free for harvest.

Lakeside has a Garden Beautification Awards program. There are four award classes: Public Gardens (maintained by amateur gardeners); Business Gardens (maintained by the business owner); Residential Gardens (professionally designed and cared for or planted and cared for by an amateur gardener); and Feature Gardens (gardens around a specific feature or theme). Winners are announced at a public ceremony, are recognized in ‘The Lakesider’ newspaper, and receive a framed certificate.

• Lakeside may want to consider creating a garden club (for adults and/or children) or a horticultural society.


Also of interest is the Lakeside daisy, Tetraneuris herbacea, one of the rarest plants in the United States. Outside Lakeside gates is the Lakeside Daisy State Nature Preserve, a 19 acre preserve for the Lakeside daisy. This preserve is made up of barren rock and a few red cedar trees. Most of the year it is desolate, but in May it comes alive with this endangered yellow daisy. The Lakeside daisy is also found on the grounds of Lakeside.


2. Landscaped Areas Overall design and suitability of landscape, turf and ground covers. Use of native plants. Overall design and suitability for location/use; good use of design principles (i.e., balance of plant material and constructed elements, harmony, color, texture, shape, etc.). Sustainability. Integration of hardscapes, lighting, site features, sculpture. Maintenance (weeds, mulching practices, edging); site rejuvenation and rehabilitation. Efforts in strategic planning. Community gardens, children’s gardens, public gardens and zoos.

M

ax points

Actual Score

Municipal Overall design and planting of landscape, turf and groundcovers 15 11 Environmental management of sports fields and turf 15 7 Quality of landscape maintenance 15 9 Sustainable management, naturalization and eco-design 15 8

Business Overall design and planting of landscape 15 10 Environmental management of turf and groundcovers 10 5 Quality of landscape maintenance 15 9

Residential Overall design and planting of landscape 15 10 Environmental management of turf and groundcovers 15 8 Quality of landscape maintenance 15 10

Community Involvement Volunteer involvement in funding, planting, and maintenance of landscaped areas 15 10 Participation in future planning (committees, councils, and advisory boards.) 15 8



This criterion should be approached from the perspective of solving site problems and creating pleasing space using shrubs, perennials, groundcovers, turf, ornamental grasses, boulders, hardscape, outdoor art, murals and garden structures. Properly arranged, these elements combine to become environmental workhorses, inspiration and of course with all the intended visual beauty. Utilize this criterion to enhance Lakeside’s compact residential areas to create privacy, frame vistas, dramatize outdoor rooms and enhance greenspace, employing America’s favorite therapeutic past time - gardening. While strolling on the path along the lake, we observed poison ivy, wild grape, polygonum and other invasive plants growing in the limestone riprap. We suggest these plants be eradicated if nothing else is done, but to make Lakeside distinctive on the north coast we encourage partnering with the community, adjacent leaseholders, and your association and consider the following:

• With this coalition it would be ideal to create continuous floral beds, like those good examples seen between the trail and the riprap near Bill and Mame’s house. Continue that treatment along the entire shoreline trail for “WOW” experience.


• A daffodil trail, utilizing early, midseason and late daffodils would provide a continuous bloom from April to June with daffodils alone, then on to October with other perennials. The daffodil trail could be extended where possible around the rest of the loop trail. This move would draw more visitors and extend the season for some residents as well.

• In addition, perhaps a rock garden type plant could be installed between the rocks. (There is a fine

textured plant with a small red flower that is currently enhancing the rocks, but not hiding them) If it wasn’t planned or planted, it has found a home without competition. Something like that could be seeded in for this application, would be inexpensive and not labor intensive.

• Another option is to plant a native vine that would cover the rocks and turning them green all summer.

The rocks would seem to disappear for the summer season. To maintain this, you would simply cut and treat woody seedling volunteers or weeds as they became apparent. Seeding, again, is the way to go.

Modify small outdoor secret garden spaces, incorporating elements such as arbors, pergolas, espaliers as walls and ceilings adorned with vines and green walls. Incorporate pervious paving as decorative flooring, perhaps laced with step-able herbs and groundcovers. Add water features such as fountains, etc. to bring in calming audible touches and mask distracting sounds. Refer to the book, Truly Tiny Gardens, by Thomasina Tarling, published by Conran Octopus. The book has many great photographic examples. Check their website at www.conran-octopus.co.uk. Extend the use of these spaces by adding landscape lighting. Murals as landscape art, are suggested as reminders of heritage, or to educate and inspire, and should be placed to buffer building walls and brighten obscure areas, or framed as filled-in windows. They can be painted directly on building walls or panels to attach to walls. Consider including scavenger hunt clues within the murals, or within the adjacent landscape for children and adult interest. Some have added an audible element to enhance the illustration and to aid those with disabilities. (Photos are examples only.)

Engage the whimsical, classical and creative by challenging the public with sculpture, fountains or a creative landscape art contest. Jury the competition, selecting the winners to be displayed in a public space or garden as a rotating display or as a permanent installation. Jan Hilty’s herb garden is a nice addition to the public park space. Consider adding some large pots or urns at key pedestrian traffic areas for volunteer herb or veggie displays that encourage public harvest for aspiring junior (or not so much) culinary experimentation.

http://www.conran-octopus.co.uk/


Look for other ways to incorporate this criterion into public spaces, by identifying problems or opportunities that could be solved using shrubs, vines or groundcovers. Consider directing pedestrian traffic, planting shady areas where turf is hard to grow, buffering blighting views, segregating service areas, naturalizing, preventing erosion, suppressing weed growth, etc. or simply enhancing a public space. The community garden was nicely laid out and maintained. Expansion is encouraged by urging creativity through a series of challenges or contests – the best use of space, the most creative living arbor, the biggest tomato, longest carrot, etc. or a scarecrow naming contest, most generations involved, etc.

• Consider adding fruit that take limited care, such as Pears, Hardy Kiwi (a vine), blueberries, Serviceberry, Sour Cherries, Cornelian cherry Dogwood, etc.

• The above can be arranged to also create or define space, buffer views and control foot traffic, along with many other functional uses.

We suggest utilizing your greenhouse creatively to max out its potential. Large pots of veggies, herbs or flowers could be planted early and moved to the community for the Memorial Day opening of season for starters, if not currently done.

The Memorial Garden is a great addition to Lakeside, and many of the above elements can be incorporated into the design. Buffering from the fence line will be something to incorporate to promote an element of privacy for memorial/celebration services as well as the adjacent public. Incorporate functional suggestions from the opening paragraph to address site challenges.

The mixed border bed at Second Street is a pleasing solution and nice visual for the area. A combination of shrubs, perennials and bulbs also separates and buffers the street from the lower level activity area. Kudos is given to Larry and Holly Gordon for their efforts at this key linear garden.


Consider removing the bollards and chains and replacing them with either permanent ornamental railing that could include a partial dual purpose bike rack or low shrub borders. Lakeside has need for both permanent and portable applications, but they could be complimentary designs. A combination of railings and shrubs could also work, placing the ornamental rails either where more visibility and tighter traffic control is desired, and shrubs where buffering, blooms or cost savings are desired. (Refer to the Environmental section for information on the fabricator.)


3. Urban Forestry Distribution, variety and suitability of trees; new plantings; urban tree program; qualified personnel or access to trained individual(s); inventory or database; frequency of tree surveys; care and maintenance programs; preservation of heritage trees and woodlots; scheduled succession plantings. Efforts in management, planning, maintenance, improvement, and innovation. Written policies, by-laws and regulations, long and short term plans.

Max points

Actual Score

Municipal Overall plan of action, tree planting programs, variety of species, inventory 20 15 Tree maintenance 15 10 Preservation and restoration of natural areas 15 10

Tree protection/planting regulations and by-laws 15 10 Business

Overall planting program 20 11 Tree maintenance 15 8

Residential Overall planting program 20 14 Tree maintenance 15 9

Community Involvement Volunteer involvement in funding, planting, and maintenance of trees 20 14 Volunteer involvement of youth in tree programs (i.e., Arbor Day, etc.) 20 13



Urban forestry in Lakeside is in several ways ahead of many other communities their size because they understand the importance of trees as they relate to the environment and how that translates to quality of life for its residents. Some members of the Tree Advisory Team have taken the excellent Tree Commission Academy course offered by the Ohio Division of Forestry. This course not only teaches the physiology of a tree, but also the anatomy of a successful urban forestry program; from right tree/right place to writing a tree ordinance; from budgeting to diversifying; and from young tree training to preparing a master plan. Commendations for conducting a community-wide tree survey, including trees on private property. This iTree compatible survey will be a useful management tool for many years to come. Adding individual tree maintenance recommendations and a plan to periodically update it will allow work orders to be written, as well as creating reduction of liability and removal of hazard trees as a first priority. Individual tree histories can be tracked using this method, helping make future maintenance decisions. Congratulations on celebrating your first Tree City USA award! We encourage the momentum gained and suggest you apply each year. In fact, Growth Awards are available for new levels of accomplishments such as upgrading your ordinance, increasing tree planting or maintenance operations.


Urban wood utilization for removed trees should be formulated into a policy in order to determine the best use of resources even outside of the community needs. Several categories should be considered for marketing/utilization:

1. Lumber grade – Oak, Walnut, Hickory, Cherry, Maple, Ash, Tulip, Hackberry, Elm, Birch or any other large enough to be cut into at least 10-12” wide boards

2. Artisan grade – Basswood, Mulberry, Walnut, Oak, Cherry, Locust, Sycamore, Tulip, Birch, Pear, Apple, Pine, Dogwood, Ash, Elm, Arborvitae, Boxelder, etc. or any otherwise seemingly useless crotch, knot, cavity or burl, etc.(Sculpting favors soft wood like Basswood, Boxelder, Cottonwood; while wood turners can utilize even the hardest crotches, but also favor Boxelder and burls)

3. Fence posts – Locust (Honey or Black), Catalpa, Hedge Apple (a barter item for outside the community)

4. Firewood – all of the above (a barter item) 5. Mulch – all the above

Although sawyers normally balk at yard trees due to metal hooks, nails etc. that have the potential to damage their equipment, a metal detector can be used to find most of the metal. Mutually benefitting partnerships are necessary for making urban wood utilization possible. Use the above categories to separate logs into classes/piles. Space being limited, consider working directly with sawyers, tree removal contractors and artisans and determine which category and partner gets the contract or call when trees are removed. Use the barter system to your advantage when dealing with sawyers, artisans, etc. If there is little or no interest in a log sale, let the sawyer take the logs and call in favors when you need lumber for a project. Then barter further with say a cabinet maker or carpenter – ‘I’ll give you 500 board feet of lumber if you build me a unit needing only 100 board feet. You would likely have to work outside your community for sawyers, but may strike up relationships within for artisans. Do what you have to, knowing that it will take a variety of partners to make it work.

If only a very small part of your wood waste is utilized for lumber or artisans you will have stimulated the local economy with local resources and that is a start in the direction of sustainability. Send out feelers in newspapers and on the website for interest. Have an educational session for the Tree Advisory Committee. Trees have value! Pursue insurance companies, contractors, utilities and vandals who damage or destroy trees in your community. Use the ISA formula www.isa.org to appraise and the Ohio Revised Code to collect. Several general suggestions are offered for consideration:


• In view of the many dead and dying Ash trees, and the fact that Ash can become brittle and dangerous soon after death, a quick and thereafter quarterly sweep of the community is recommended to identify dead and dying trees, followed by removal over especially the off season months.

• A member(s) of the Tree Advisory Committee is encouraged to seek ISA’s Certified Arborist status.

• The 10, 20, 30 rule should be incorporated into the tree planting plan to assure diversity in the urban

forest.

• Due to the compact nature of the community, a certified arborist and tree preservationist should be sought out for consultation when tree health is threatened. Integrated Pest Management (IPM) could make the difference between removal and preservation for many years.

• Compile a list of alkaline tolerant trees to use south of Second Street – Honeylocust, Tree Lilac, Oaks, etc.

• The problem of trees in the shuffleboard area dropping “sap” can be rectified in several steps. Identify the problem, adopt best practices that right the problem and treat trees as a last resort. The Problem

1. The problem is caused by sucking insects that excrete “sap” that can grow a black Sooty Mold on objects it drops upon, or just be a sticky nuisance.

2. These insects attack stressed trees that are more vulnerable than healthy trees. Insects can detect chemicals released by stressed trees up to one half mile away.

3. Tree stress is caused by either soil compaction, lack of water, lack of nutrients, soil pH, shallow soil

or a combination thereof.

4. Soil compaction can be caused by foot traffic on turf areas, construction, vehicular traffic or by de-icing salt runoff or overspray.

The Solution

1. Test soil depth, pH and compaction. Core aerate the soil at the end of the season, allowing at least 3 weeks of growing season to rejuvenate turf. If deeper compaction than 3” utilize a ½’ cordless or gas powered drill with a 2”+/- earth auger bit and drill holes 12” deep and fill with a mixture of pea gravel and leafmold.

2. Water the trees and turf in hot dry periods, or just as a means of keeping the turf green. Reflective surfaces contribute to water loss and drought stress. Caution: excessive watering can cause saturation of soil and wind throw of trees.

3. Monitor trees per IPM mode.

4. Treat with a systemic insecticide if insects return. It may take more than one year to pull trees

from a stressed condition.


Chautauqua Park is proposed as a nature preserve. During trail building, care should be exercised in protecting the root systems of the larger trees. The adjacent Memorial Garden contains some larger specimen trees that should be protected and incorporated into the design to provide shade and buffering and aesthetic appeal. Fence off trees being retained (at or beyond the dripline) before grading or construction begins. Allow no parking, trenching or storage of materials or soil on the root zone. Do not change grade in the root zone.


4. Environmental Efforts Sustainability practices. Recycling (paper, glass, metal, plastic, electronics, etc.), policies and by-laws, sustainable development strategies, waste reduction, hazardous waste minimization and collection (oil, paint, chemicals, used batteries, etc.), water quality and conservation, energy conservation, environmental cleanup activities, reducing carbon footprint, environmentally friendly transportation, LEED certification, air, noise and light pollution, rain gardens and rain barrels, composting, energy efficiency, youth programs, etc. Events such as Earth Day, Recycling Days, Bike to Work Days, etc.

Max Points

Actual Score

Municipal Leadership in environmental initiatives 25 16 Effective communication of environmental strategies and initiatives 25 14 New programs, improvement and innovation 25 14

Business Participation in environmental efforts 20 11 New programs, improvement and innovation 10 5

Residential Participation in environmental efforts 20 13 New programs, improvement and innovation 10 6

Community Involvement

Volunteer involvement in environmental efforts 20 13

Youth participation in environmental activities 20 12

Total (the fields automatically calculate – do not type in them) 175.00 104.00 Comments and suggestions:

The Lakeside Environmental Stewardship Society (LESS) Recommendation for Lakeside Association Strategic Plan is certainly a good prototype for an overall sustainability policy. Commendations are offered for the mission statement and desire to move toward a more sustainable lifestyle for all lakeside residents and visitors. Initially, our suggestion is to develop a rubric on environmental sustainability to govern all actions of every discipline under the Lakeside Association’s purview. For the most part, the LESS recommendations have begun to do just that, congratulations! Fine tuning from a broader perspective of best practices in all disciplines involved is encouraged. Sustainability as a summer educational program is acknowledged. Open space is at a premium due to the compact nature of this cottage community; however, the quality of both the common greenspaces as well as the private environs of each cottage is often so green and colorful that residents and visitors alike may occasionally find themselves caught up in near paradise conditions. We know from experience that pristine environments impact individuals in many positive ways, but now researchers are proving greenspace enhances economics, reduces crime, boosts real estate prices, and produces cancer fighting responses in our bodies. Encourage residents to pursue this green legacy to inspire themselves, family and friends. It was a pleasure to be free of constant vehicular traffic. We commend you for limiting vehicles. It was great to see so many people walking or on bicycles and great to see so many bicycle racks in use. It encourages exercise, family engagement and environmental exposure; however, it appears that the bikes need more rack space and organization.


Consider this custom-tailored idea. For safety, functionality and aesthetics we recommend you design 8-12 foot sections with 5+/- foot openings between to allow for pedestrian movement. They could be designed as portable bike racks and traffic control devices (mostly pedestrian or golf cart) that could be utilized where events are happening. They can be fabricated of steel or aluminum in a stackable design with a powder coat finish. Wrought Designs LLC, an Amish firm from Holmes County Ohio is agreeable to fabricating a 3’ prototype at no cost. The principal and contact is Ivan Wengerd, at 330-857-2430. They regularly work in the area and were across the bay installing the week before this writing. Adopt an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategy to reduce use of pesticides, detect, monitor and control small populations of pests and diseases before major damage occurs. Once trained, committee or staff members simply remain observant as they move through the community on their daily routines, reporting, noting or rectifying small infestations of pests or diseases as they are discovered. This very sustainable practice seems a natural for the Tree Advisory Team and perhaps those involved in the landscape and floral displays. OSU Cooperative Extension may be able to provide the necessary training. Consultants could be utilized should in-house solutions not develop. Curbside recycling is in progress with a goal of 50% reduction of waste tonnage going to the landfill within 15 years. We suggest moving the target percentage up as the gap closes in on the goal. Use progressive cities such as San Francisco as a benchmark, where over 65% of the population participates in recycling. We acknowledge the well organized rules and regulations governing the Farmers Market. The Baker’s Green Cottage tour was very impressive! Congrats on combining many different cutting edge methods and materials with reused materials from the previous cottage to converge in an energy efficient, beautiful and comfortable home. The Grasscrete pavers and rain barrel completed the touch, earning a NAHB Emerald rating. Very well done!


Several general suggestions are offered for this criterion:

• Encourage home energy audits to conserve energy.

• Work with the Tree Advisory Team to properly locate trees on lots to maximize energy conservation.

• Consider compacting trash and recycle containers that signal when full to save labor and resources.

• Encourage rain gardens by offering a contest for the best design, appearance or use.

• Consider bio-swales to filter water from parking lots, streets, roofs or other paved areas before it reaches Lake Erie.

• Ponder a more extensive use of pervious paving for all three sectors. Grasscrete and conventional pavers work better than the unproven pervious asphalt and concrete. Some communities are using pavers for whole streets. Clay or brick pavers hold their color, wear better and last longer, but are more expensive.

• If not done already, consider restricting the size and weight of delivery trucks allowed in the community.

• Attempt to fill the Purple Martin houses to help reduce the insect population and to both entertain and educate the public.

Rain barrels Pavers



Lakeside is home to many different architectural styles and we commend the Lakeside Association’s Historic Preservation Design and Review Board for developing a Code of Construction Regulations. This will provide the community with more control over demolition, construction, architecture, scale, congruity, and landscaping when changes are proposed to a site. We were happy to hear that Lakeside has guided walking tours once a week in July and August.

• We recommend that a self-guided walking tour be developed so that people can learn about the history and architecture of homes at their leisure.

• You may also want to develop an iPhone app for a historic tour of Lakeside.

5. Heritage Preservation Historical, natural, agricultural, and cultural heritage. Preservation and restoration of buildings, homes, churches, cemeteries; heritage sites and/or monuments; heritage parks, historical gardens and heritage trees; artifacts; historical society; heritage advisory committee, museums, archives, history books, and interpretative programs; ordinances and policies. Resource availability. Farmers markets, festivals and parades.

Max Points

Actual Score

Municipal Leadership in preservation and restoration initiatives 25 20 Legal protection of heritage sites 25 17 Resource availability for preservation and restoration 25 18

Business Conservation, restoration, and rehabilitation of properties 15 11 Participation in and support of heritage/cultural activities 15 12

Residential Conservation, restoration, and rehabilitation of properties 15 12 Participation in and support of heritage/cultural activities 15 13

Community Involvement Volunteer involvement in cultural, historical, and natural heritage activities 20 17 Youth involvement in heritage activities 20 15



• You may want to consider developing a book on the history and architecture of selected homes in Lakeside.

• Consider a designation for Century Homes, homes that are 100 years old or older. This could be something like a bronze plaque for the homes.

• You could have a book or pamphlet that provides the history and information on the architecture of just

Century Homes.

The Lakeside Heritage Society is an organization dedicated to preserving the history of Lakeside, Ohio and the Marblehead Peninsula. The society has a history museum, Heritage Hall Museum, located in the original 1873 Lakeside Methodist Church building. Behind the museum is the Lakeside Heritage Archives.

• Consideration should be given to digitizing the archives. You may want to hire a summer intern(s) to help with this project.

• You may want to make the archives accessible online. The Lakeside Heritage Society also creates an education program that coordinates with the programming of Lakeside Chautauqua’s education program. The Friends of Hotel Lakeside, a group formed over 30 years ago, saved this grand hotel from demolition and today is continuing their work in restoring this lovely, historic building to its former grandeur. In addition to the restoration they are also upgrading the facility to comply with today’s construction codes and is upgrading the facility to meet and exceed the expectations of today’s patron.

• You may want to create a book or pamphlet about the history of the Hotel Lakeside including photos of the hotel throughout its history and restoration.


Several original structures in Lakeside have been preserved: the Fountain Inn, the Train Station, the Women’s Club, South Auditorium, the Wesley Center, the Hoover Auditorium, and other buildings in the business district.


Quilts are on display in the Hoover Auditorium.

The structure of the original Lakeside School is still a sound structure, although it is in need of complete restoration. Lakeside Chautauqua is maintaining the school’s current condition until funds are available for restoration. Of interest is a greenhouse that is located on the school grounds.

• Consider using the greenhouse as part of a horticulture department for Lakeside Chautauqua.

• The greenhouse could also be used as part of a horticulture education program.


‘Amazing Grace’ is a 1937 32’ Richardson Cruisabout, owned by Lakeside Chautauqua and maintained, skippered, and crewed by the Lakeside Wooden Boat Society.


6. Overall Impression Cleanliness, lack of litter and graffiti. Maintenance of public open spaces, medians and boulevard strips, streets, sidewalks, walking and biking trails, curbs, ditches, road shoulders, unattended and vacant lots, buildings, garbage receptacles; lack of weeds, dog waste policies and receptacles, notices/posters appropriately displayed, vandalism not evident. Maintenance of the hardscape: walls, lamp posts, benches, playgrounds, etc. Appropriate use and placement of graphic elements such as banners, signs and murals.

Max points

Actual Score

Municipal Overall cleanliness 10 7 Maintenance of public roads and shoulders 10 6 Condition of public buildings and properties 10 7 Impact of graphic elements - banners, signs, murals, etc. 10 7

Business Overall cleanliness 20 16 Condition of buildings and properties 20 15

Residential Overall cleanliness 10 8 Condition of buildings and properties 10 7

Community Involvement

Participation in clean up efforts, adopt-a-spot, annual cleanup days, etc. 15 13

Recognition of volunteer efforts 10 8

Total (the fields automatically calculate – do not type in them) 125.00 94.00 Comments and suggestions:

The first impression on arriving in Lakeside is that it is a neat and tidy, picturesque, and historic village. It is the place that we hold in our memory, a place that used to exist. There definitely is a feeling that comes over you as you enter Lakeside and leave the rest of the world behind. Puzzling thoughts give way to anticipation, which morphs to delight and nostalgia.

Lakeside is a place that has maintained those aspects - dense housing, front porches, limited vehicular traffic,


convenient shopping, floral beds, public parks, and facilities for education and entertainment - that have become part and parcel of the New Urbanist projects that have been planned and constructed throughout the United States. Developers are planning communities around the country that are more ‘liveable’, more ‘condensed’ in place of the suburban model that was followed in the last half of the past century. Lakeside has an effective, colorful, and compelling banner program that draws the eye and informs the public in a gentle manner to what is happening in Lakeside.

• Other communities have developed banner programs where children (or adults) create banners that are hung throughout the community. There can be a theme to a project like this such as, ‘What Lakeside means to me.’

Other examples of signage include the Dog Waystation and bicycle parking sign, the signs on the Life Trail fitness trail for senior citizens to exercise, and the Lakeside Prayer Board where people can write prayer requests.

We were glad to see the Dog Waystation in two locations. Be certain that the waystations are installed in the locations people use to walk their dogs.

Many communities are creating Dog Parks. You may want to consider this. Dog Parks are great meeting places for owners as well as their dogs. There was no one on the Life Fitness Trail when we visited. This is a fantastic resource and should be promoted widely to the community. We were very impressed with the beehive of activity in the Rhein Center, a center for artistic craftsmanship ranging from rock painting to dulcimer playing for children and adults alike, a very exciting place to be.


A definite impression was made when we saw the garden statue business that has a drop box for payments if someone decides to purchase one of the statues that are kept outside in front of the building when the business is closed.

We enjoyed seeing tastefully landscaped areas throughout the community and conveniently located recycling containers throughout the community. It was a pleasure to see parks being used by people of all ages for anything from a shuffleboard tournament to a wooden boat construction class.

Some of the playground equipment observed by the judges appeared older and is perhaps not in compliance with current safety standards endorsed by the National Playground Safety Institute (NPSI). For playgrounds to remain in a “safe” condition a program of documented, systematic, preventive maintenance is necessary. Educating parks personnel in this area is a must. The surface under playground equipment must be maintained at a depth of 12 inches and not be allowed to become compacted. Acceptable surfaces are hardwood fiber/mulch, sand, and pea gravel. All playground equipment should be inspected and the inspection documented on a regular basis (weekly is recommended). Failure to properly maintain and document maintenance reviews could result in a major liability suit being brought against the city in the event of an injury. Video on playground hazards: http://www.nrpa.org/media/video/dirtydozen/dirtydozen.html

http://www.nrpa.org/media/video/dirtydozen/dirtydozen.html


Checklist for Judges and Communities:

Yes No N/A

Were the judges given a community profile, itinerary, and map prior to their arrival?

Did the itinerary provide for seeing a representative cross-section of the community?

Were the guides knowledgeable about the community and horticultural aspects?

Were the judges able to modify the schedule if needed?

Did the judges meet with the media?

Did the judges meet with municipal leaders?

Were the judges asked to give presentations?

Were the judges able to meet with and talk to volunteers?

Was enough time allotted to complete the evaluation form in a quiet place?

Comments:

DEFINITIONS Municipal: City hall and other municipal properties, parks and open spaces, roads, roadsides, sidewalks, cemeteries, schools and sports facilities, empty lots and brownfields, libraries, hospitals, assisted living, churches, universities, and colleges Business: Commercial and industrial sectors, shopping centers, stores, office buildings, restaurants, mixed use developments, service stations, railway and bus stations, plant nurseries/garden centers Residential: Single family residences, condominiums, town houses, planned communities, apartment buildings, gated communities, manufactured home communities, trailer parks, residential developments, neighborhoods, graduated care facilities Community Involvement: Volunteer efforts by individuals, clubs, youth groups, church groups, civic organizations, and social clubs for community enhancement


2012 Special Mention

Municipality: Lakeside, Ohio

General description of the recognized criterion (200 words max) Community Involvement The backbone of Lakeside Chautauqua is its community involvement. Without the effort of hundreds of volunteers this small community which has no public works, parks, or horticulture department; would not be able to create the beautiful, lush environment that is a large component of the ‘place-making’ aspect of Lakeside. Several volunteers plant and maintain floral beds. Others volunteer for various boards and organizations; Lakeside Chautauqua Directors, Lakeside Chautauqua Foundation, Municipal Services Committee, Historic Preservation and Design Review Board, Lakeside Environmental Stewardship Society, Tree Commission and Advisory Team, Rhein Center for the Living Arts Advisory Committee, Lakeside Heritage Society, Friends of Hotel Lakeside, Herb Study Group, and Lakeside Women’s Club. Additional volunteers help to plan, coordinate, and execute the approximately 450 special events, celebrations, and festivals that take place in Lakeside during the summer season. When the decision was made to participate in America in Bloom these volunteers rallied their forces to put some extra polish on the apple for the judges’ tour. The judges met with key individuals from each organization who explained the vision, mission, and goals of their respective group. The judges were also able to meet with other volunteers, residents, business owners, and municipal staff of Lakeside Chautauqua.

Special Project or Initiative (50 words max) Lakeside was introduced to America in Bloom in September 2011. They realized many of the components of Chautauqua’s four pillars; religion, education, cultural arts, and recreation compliment America in Bloom’s community involvement and six criteria. The community rallied and in a short period of time brought together an outstanding effort.

America in Bloom … Planting Pride in Our Communities 2130 Stella Court, Columbus, OH 43215 ● (614) 487-1117 ● Fax (614) 487-1216

www.americainbloom.org [email protected]

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