Chicago Excellence in Gardening Awards Presentations 2019
On Saturday, October 12, city-wide gardeners gathered at the historic Austin Town Hall Park and Cultural Center for the presentation of the 3rd Annual Chicago Excellence in Gardening Awards. This year, the garden entrants represented 43 wards in 76 neighborhoods!
CCGA is one of the many organizations that participates in this event. Our own Gina Jamison and Angela Taylor served as judges this year, while Julie Samuels worked on the committee to put it all together. This year, 68 awards were presented along with 32 honorable mentions. Many CCGA gardeners were present, so many, in fact, the only way to capture everyone in a photo was with a panoramic frame! We’re so proud to support you!
Students from the UIC Heritage Garden accepted one of the awards for their hands-on learning project connecting horticulture with environmental sustainability, cultural diversity, and social justice. Beyond the regular awards, this year CEGA introduced 10 Special Awards, given to gardens which were noted by the judges to have made an exceptional contribution to greening Chicago gardens and growing community. Shirley Copeland accepted the “Healing Power of Gardening” award given to Schwab Rehabilitation Hospital Roof Garden, a 10,000 square-foot rooftop park and garden that provides beneficial horticultural therapy to patients.
Let’s not forget about school gardens! This year, the Montessori School of Englewood was recognized, and for a second year, Kellogg Elementary won an award. Also recognized were Oriole Park School Teaching Farm, Ray Graham Training Center Garden, and Southeast Area Learning.
In all, 11 community gardens won awards, and many people stopped for a photo while they picked up their “swag bags.” It’s always wonderful to see gardeners honored for all their hard work and sharing their knowledge about planting for pollinators, carbon sequestration, and beauty.
Two special awards were given to recognize community gardens doing exceptional work for the benefit of their neighborhoods and Chicago’s gardeners. Lakeview Community Garden at Diversey received the “Community Ambassador” award for its inspired outreach to folks who wanted to start community gardens in Lakeview and Lincoln Park. Their commitment to engage, enlist, and inspire others saw three new gardens established. Precious Blood Ministry of Reconciliation’s Community Garden received the “Growing Hope” award for developing a beautiful space to grow healthy food, community, and opportunities for youth in the Back of the Yards neighborhood.
All of us at CCGA and CEGA congratulate the many community, school, and specialty gardens that won awards and honorable mentions! To see the complete list of winners, visit the CEGA awards site.
