PGMS Announces 2008 Green Star Award Winners

The Professional Grounds Management Society (PGMS) has recognized 19 grounds management programs for excellence in the Society's 2008 Green Star Awards Competition. The 36th annual awards were presented in Louisville, Ky. during PGMS' School of Grounds Management held October 22-25 in conjunction with the GIE+EXPO.

This awards program brings national recognition to grounds maintained with a high degree of excellence. The Green Star Competition complements other national landscape award programs that recognize outstanding landscape design and construction.

This year's program acknowledged the nation's top grounds in settings ranging from government buildings to amusement parks to universities. Overall, PGMS presented eight Grand Awards, its highest honor, as well as 11 Honor Awards in seven categories of competition.

Four of the total award winners were in the Urban University Grounds category. Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas took home a Grand Award. They were joined by the following Honor Award winners in the same category: Illinois State University in Normal, Ill., University of Maryland-Baltimore County and Lewis University in Romeoville, Ill.

Four other award winners were in the University and College Grounds category. San Diego State University in San Diego, Calif. took home a Grand Award. They were joined by the following Honor Award winners in this category: Ryerson University in Toronto, ONT, Canada, Michigan State University in East Lansing, Mich. and Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas.

PGMS presented two Grand Awards and one Honor award in the Condominium or Apartment Complex category. Ocean Edge Condos in Brewster, Mass. and Henry Ford Village in Flat Rock, Mich. received Grand Awards and Palisades Park in Chantilly, Va. received an Honor Award.

The Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, Calif. received two awards including a Grand Award for their Year of a Million Dreams project and an Honor Award for their Jungle Cruise Rehab Project in the Amusement Park, Theme Park or Zoo category. The Smithsonian National Zoological Park in Washington, D.C. also received an Honor Award in the same category.

One Grand Award winner and two Honor Award winners were announced in the Athletic Fields category. Carroll College Nelson Stadium in Helena, Mont. received a Grand Award. Hickey Field of Bergenfield Little League Association in Bergenfield, N.J. and Baker Field Athletic Complex in New York, N.Y. both captured Honor Awards.

Last but not least Riverwalk Landing at Yorktown Waterfront in Yorktown, Va. received a Grand Award in the Government Building or Complex category and Abbott Park in Abbott Park, Ill. received a Grand Award in the Industrial, Commercial Site or Office Park category.

Founded in 1911, PGMS is an individual membership society of grounds professionals advancing the grounds management profession through education and professional development. For further information contact PGMS at 410-223-2861, pgms@assnhqtrs.com or visit the Web site at www.pgms.org.