America in Bloom: Santa Paula
takes top national
prize for Historical Preservation
October 02, 2015
By Peggy Kelly
Santa Paula News
When it comes to historical preservation no place, and that means no place, beats Santa Paula, at least according to America in Bloom, which honored the city an Outstanding Achievement Award for preserving its past at the annual AIB awards.
“I was stunned, absolutely stunned” said Dianne Davis, founder and president of the America in Bloom (AIB) Santa Paula chapter, which in its only second year of competing against like-sized cities across the nation took the top prize at the annual awards held in Holland, Michigan late last month.
“When Santa Paula came up on the screen that we were one of the three towns,” displaying outstanding efforts in historical preservation, Davis said “I had no idea we’d win it…there were 40 towns,” of varying population categories, “in the running! It was nice.”
Davis learned that Santa Paula won the historical preservation award for like sized cities Thursday and Saturday it was announced the city had taken the top award.
The others in the national top three for Historical Preservation were Catskill, New York and Lewes, Delaware.
Santa Paula also received a four-bloom rating out of a possible five, as well as a special mention and the Outstanding Achievement award for their efforts in heritage preservation.
All participants were evaluated on six criteria: overall impression, environmental awareness, heritage preservation, urban forestry, landscape, and floral displays. Additionally they were judged on their community involvement across municipal, residential, and commercial sectors. America in Bloom is the only national awards program that sends specially trained judges to personally visit participants. In addition, each participant receives a detailed written evaluation that can be used as a guide to future improvements.
Jack Clasen and Evelyn Alemanni, AIB judges, visited communities of similar populations and spent two days touring each town, meeting municipal officials, residents, and volunteers. Along with Santa Paula, other competitors in the 30,000 to 40,000-population category were St. Charles, IL; Saratoga, CA; and Hopkinsville, KY.
Judges said, “Santa Paula’s AIB group has been recognized by the city and the Chamber of Commerce for its efforts in being a catalyst for positive changes in the city. One of its members,” namely Davis, “has been called ‘a miracle for the city’.”
With the historic four-year drought wreaking havoc with lawns and greenery it practically took a miracle to win big but Davis said a conscious effort was made this year to focus on environmental efforts as well as historic preservation.
For the latter Clasen and Alemanni were taken on tours of such places as the Faulkner Farm house, the Clock Tower when Odd Fellow Carlos Juarez explained recent renovations and the Depot and Agriculture Museum of Ventura County which underwent extensive upgrading in years past.
“The Murals of Santa Paula depict our history and culture,” and the series was one of three cities nominated for Public Art but Davis said Arroyo Grande won the prize.
“The city was kind enough to pay the AIB entrance fee,” for the second year and the rest was work including planning stops and speakers to work with judges.
“We showed the judges the Santa Paula Airport and Janice Dickenson,” airport historian, gave the judges a tour and spoke of the famed field’s history.
Preserving the city’s art was highlighted with a visit to the Santa Paula Art Museum and its Executive Director Jennifer Heighton and stops were also made at the California Oil Museum and the Ag Museum, both highlighting Santa Paula’s past in historical, preserved buildings.
“The community, the Santa Paula Historical Society should also take credit...we just pointed the judges in the right direction,” per the AIB criteria and let Santa Paulans do the rest.
“We had a dinner at the Universalist Unitarian Church with members of the historical society and the Santa Paula Ministerial Association and Judy Triem,” a church member and professional historian preservation planner spoke.
“Historical Society President Mary Alice Orcutt Henderson, Joe Henderson and other members had the ears of the judges...AIB would introduce the judges to the members of the community and stepped back and the others stepped in,” emphasizing the community dedication to preservation.
“Obviously,” said Davis, “somebody impressed the judges! America in Bloom can’t take credit for historical preservation, others have done that...”
America in Bloom Executive Director Laura Kunkle, said, “America in Bloom is helping towns and cities of all sizes achieve their potential. Every year our participants raise the bar, and the accomplishments and progress shown by this year’s group is again remarkable. These are, without a doubt, some of the best places to live in America.”
The evaluation also noted that “Many older churches are beautifully restored while numerous murals and monuments are placed throughout Downtown including the only monument in the United States honoring the contributions to farm workers in agriculture.”
“I was surprised, but very proud that we pulled it off!” said Davis. “We had some stiff competition, but AIB did a really good job presenting to the judges the right places and people to highlight all the great things all our community has done to preserve our heritage.”
