Golden Leaf Awards to Honor Properties With Curb Appeal

Everyone knows that Durham is a good looking place; in fact, nearly one in four residents say it should be a high community priority. But if Durham homes were in a beauty pageant, which one should win? Whether it's the landscaping, the historic redevelopment, or just plain old curb appeal, now is the time to submit a nomination to recognize the Durham properties that make looking good seem so easy. 

The Durham City-County Appearance Commission and Keep Durham Beautiful, Inc. are seeking nominations from the community for the 2014 Golden Leaf Awards. The awards recognize new developments and buildings in Durham that demonstrate curb appeal. Homeowners, building owners, architects, landscape architects, developers, realtors and anyone involved in design, planning and construction in Durham are encouraged to enter projects completed within the last five years.

Visit the Golden Leaf Awards website to review the complete list of categories, submission criteria and nomination forms. All submissions are due by Tuesday, October 28.

To find out more about good looking places in Durham, check out Things to Do or Durham Dining.

Honoring Durham's "Curb Appeal" Champions

By a ratio of almost four to one, Durham residents rate appearance and physical upkeep a high community priority. Destinations hoping to attract visitors and newcomers understand that curb appeal is an essential investment that delivers a high rate of return.

The Charlotte Brody Discovery Garden 

Golden Leaf Award Winner - Landscaping and Maintenance

Photo by Rick Fisher

For some, appearance means removing litter and planting flowers.  From a destination marketing standpoint, it’s more about creating and maintaining a community’s unique sense of place.  

Landscaping –particularly around gateways—is a part of that, but it’s also about historic preservation, urban forestry, attractive streetscapes with wayfinding, and well-maintained, weed-free medians. 

Keep Durham Beautiful, the Durham City-County Appearance Commission and Durham City-County Environmental Affairs joined together last week to present the Gold Leaf Awards, an annual event recognizing properties that illustrate the value that Durham puts on community appearance.   

The 2012 Golden Leaf Award Winners are to be commended for raising the bar for excellence in design and maintenance of commercial, residential and community properties.  They have shown leadership in  raising community awareness of the value of good appearance and stewardship.  

Nominations for 2012 Golden Leaf Awards Nearing Deadline

Durham residents are undeniably passionate about the look and feel of their community - research indicates it is among the things residents feel is important by a ratio of four to one.

Now residents who believe certain Durham properties have outstanding curb appeal are encouraged to submit a nomination for the 2012 Golden Leaf Awards for Community Appearance by the July 30th deadline.

The Durham City-County Appearance Commission and Keep Durham Beautiful Inc., in association with the Environmental Affairs Board, are seeking nominations from the community for properties that raise the bar for excellence in design and maintenance in Durham.

The deadline to submit nominations is July 30. Nominations may be submitted in the following categories:

• Small Scale Residential Properties Award

• Large Scale Residential Properties Award

• Commercial Properties Award

• Community Properties Award

• Landscape Award

• Keep Durham Beautiful Award

• Sustainable Properties Award

• People’s Choice Award

Visit the Durham Golden Leaf website to review the complete list of categories, submission criteria, and nominations forms.

Durham Seeks Nominations for 2012 Golden Leaf Awards

Having Durham be a beautiful place is important to many.  In fact, people in Durham think appearance should be a high community priority by a ratio of almost four to one.  For those that do feel that way, now is the time to mobilize.

Residents who think there are certain Durham properties that have outstanding curb appeal are now invited to nominate those properties for the 2012 Golden Leaf Awards for Community Appearance.

The Durham City-County Appearance Commission and Keep Durham Beautiful, Inc., in association with the Environmental Affairs Board, are seeking nominations from the community for properties that raise the bar for excellence in design and maintenance in Durham. These awards are given to highlight the value that Durham puts on community appearance.

The deadline to submit nominations for this year’s award is Monday, July 30, 2012. Nominations may be submitted in the following categories:

•    Small Scale Residential Properties Award will be given to new construction, renovation, or restoration of a single-family house or residential building containing four units or fewer.

•    Large Scale Residential Properties Award will be given to new construction, conversions, or improvements to a multifamily residential property or mixed-use property incorporating residential units.

•    Commercial Properties Award will be given for new construction, renovation or adaptive reuse of non-residential properties.

•    Community Properties Award will be given for projects that enhance the appearance and livability of highly visible public areas including churches, schools, parks, and other projects providing community services.

•    Landscape Award will be given for landscape, hardscape, or garden projects at least one year old, which have consistently maintained high standards of upkeep and appearance.

•    Keep Durham Beautiful Award will be given to a volunteer or group of volunteers for projects, programs or events that impact a Durham community or neighborhood, and address Keep Durham Beautiful’s mission to support volunteer efforts to (1) beautify the natural environment (2) prevent or reduce litter and/or (3) reduce waste through reducing, re-using or recycling.

•    Sustainable Properties Award will be given for projects creating a sustainable built environment by incorporating green building principles in the planning and development of projects. Projects must document these principles in the areas of energy, design, site, water, and building materials.

•    People’s Choice Award will be given to one project selected by public vote from the nominees under consideration for the above award categories.

Visit the Durham Golden Leaf website to review the complete list of categories, submission criteria, and nominations forms.