Vancouver's Best

Up Front Garden Winners Announced

June 16, 2006 - The Vancouver Park Board and the Garden Club of Vancouver have announced the winners of their second city-wide contest (the first was in 2004) that drew over 300 entries. Launched in early April and organized by the dedicated members of one of Vancouver's most esteemed service clubs, the Up Front Garden contest recognizes wonderful front gardens, small and generous, that can be viewed from the sidewalk. The co-sponsors believe communities are enhanced by interesting gardens that inspire others to contribute to the greening of the streetscape.

One garden in each of Vancouver 's 22 neighbourhoods was chosen for recognition and the final winners selected from that list. Criteria used for garden entries were that the garden must be visible from the street, is interesting and appealing, is well-tended, has pleasing combinations of plant material, is remarkable for its design or originality and enhances the look of the neighbourhood.

The Park Board and Garden Club of Vancouver were very pleased this year to receive sponsorship from Phoenix Perennials and Specialty Plants who will provide the prizes to the winning gardens.

Judging

Final judging was undertaken by the very capable, horticulturally-inspired team of popular Vancouver Sun Columnist and author Steve Whysall; Marjanne Vrijmoed, co-owner of Free Spirit Nursery; and renowned Vancouver Landscape Architect Paul Sangha. The judges commented on the "magic" and "playfulness" of the gardens and also stated that the "winning garden is a garden to fall in love with".

Winners

(Click on thumbnails to open a large view)

1st Place - 602 Keefer Street at Princess Street

2nd Place - 3118 Alberta St.

3rd Place - 2204 East 11th Avenue at Templeton Drive

A "winners" reception will be held in the Fall recognizing the top gardens along with all the neighbourhood finalists.

All Up Front Garden contest finalists are listed below to inspire lovely garden walks or bike rides around Vancouver 's cornucopia of neighbourhood landscapes.

Up Front Garden Contest Neighbourhood and Grand Prize Winners

	Arbutus Ridge 1841 Quilchena Crescent		Downtown 1117 Pendrell Street
	Dunbar Southlands 4153 Yuculta Street		Fairview 718 West 14th Avenue
	Grandview-Woodland 2346 Woodland Drive		Hastings Sunrise 2647 & 2655 Cambridge Street
	Kensington-Cedar Cottage 2204 East 11th Avenue		Kerrisdale 6161 Churchill Street
	Killarney 2917 East 44th Avenue		Kitsilano 3085 West 3rd Avenue
	Marpole 8186 Hudson Street		Mount Pleasant 3118 Alberta Street
	Oakridge 858 West 45th Avenue		Renfrew Collingwood 5326 Spencer Street
	Riley Park 4831/37/43/47 Sophia Street		Shaughnessy 1439 Devonshire Crescent
	South Cambie 3599 Willow Street		Strathcona 602 Keefer (at Princess Street)
	Sunset 6420 Sophia Street		Victoria Fraserview 2050 East 44th Avenue
	West Point Grey 4633 West 3rd Avenue

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