America in Bloom Gives Tarboro a High Rating, College Commended

ECC’s Historic Preservation Technology program and the Wetlands Trail were recognized as part of Tarboro’s Four-Bloom rating by the National America in Bloom competition. The Norfleet House is the cornerstone of the college’s historic preservation initiatives.

by Connie Sherrill
President
Tarboro in Bloom

The results are in and Tarboro in Bloom (TIB) President Connie Sherrill is pleased to announce that Tarboro has once again made significant strides in the National America in Bloom (AIB) competition. Sherrill states the TIB Board is delighted with the favorable evaluation from the judges.

Tarboro received an overall rating of 761 points out of a possible 1000 points, which equals a four-bloom rating. The results of the competition were revealed at the National AIB Symposium in Holland, Michigan, earlier this month.

Tarboro hosted AIB judges Katy Moss Warner and Karin Rindal in June. AIB judges serve as volunteer consultants who visit cities to offer suggestions for improvements that will make communities more attractive and welcoming places.

Cities were evaluated in the six main criteria including Floral Displays, Landscaped Areas, Urban Forestry, Environmental Efforts, Heritage Preservation, and Overall Impression. This year there were 42 cities putting their best foot forward as participants in the America in Bloom competition.

Tarboro received a nomination for AIB’s Outstanding Achievement Award for Heritage Preservation. The judges commended our 45 block historic district with its many beautifully maintained homes and the Town Common with its stately landmark trees.

The grounds of Howard Memorial Presbyterian Church and Calvary Episcopal Churchyard were cited for their extraordinary collections of trees and excellent efforts to protect and preserve the headstones and cemetery structures.

The Blount-Bridgers House and the volunteers who devote many hours to maintaining the gardens on the property also received accolades from the judges. The Historic Preservation Technology curriculum at Edgecombe Community College was recognized as an eminently appropriate initiative for Tarboro, with so many of our homes and structures listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Participating towns also have an opportunity to nominate a community champion who exemplifies community leadership and demonstrates a vision and commitment to moving the community forward. Tarboro in Bloom nominated Buddy Hooks as our community champion. Each community champion was recognized at the national symposium for their dedicated efforts in their community.

Hooks is a master gardener volunteer who led the project to landscape the new traffic circle. A few of his accomplishments include serving as a tourism ambassador, Tarboro in Bloom board member and treasurer, a member of the Edgecombe County Tourism Development Authority, and a member and past president of the Rotary Club.

Tarboro was one of three cities nominated for two Special Awards: the Most Beautiful Canopy of Trees and the Most Attractive Naturalistic Landscape. The judges’ nomination states that Tarboro has a remarkable number of stately old trees that are well protected and preserved. They specifically mention the Town Common and the Tarboro Rotary Club community service project to replace trees lost to storm, disease, or maturity.

The nomination for Most Attractive Naturalistic Landscape cites the Edgecombe Community College Wetlands Trail. The trail is a living laboratory and learning environment with excellent signs and clever ephemeral art created from natural materials.

The detailed evaluation from the AIB judges is filled with ideas for making Tarboro a better place. A few of the judges’ suggestions are:

• Use a single strong color in all the planted areas and containers throughout town.
• Consider naming a long blooming flower as the official flower of Tarboro and encourage planting by businesses and residents.
• Colorful banners would add personality to Main Street while the newly planted trees grow.
• Add welcome signs and attractive landscaping to greet visitors at town entrances.
• Repair or replace the irrigation system at Courthouse Square so that the current landscape can thrive and continue to be developed.
• Consider establishing a city-wide arboretum, starting with the collection of trees in the Town Common.
• Encourage residents to use rain barrels through education and demonstrations.
• A significant effort should be made to recruit businesses to Main Street. Empty shop windows could be cleaned and displays of historic places in town or local art placed in the windows.
• Wayfinding signs should be strategically placed to direct visitors to points of interest in the community.
• Install decorative bike racks to encourage bicycles as a means of transportation.

Tarboro has made considerable progress since the first competition in 2012, which yielded a total of 461 points and a two-bloom rating. In 2013, we received 712 points and a three-bloom rating.

This year we achieved a four-bloom rating out of a possible five blooms. Sherrill states that it is an honor to be nominated for Heritage Preservation and two Special Awards. The judges were impressed with the number of volunteer community leaders with talent, passion, and a willingness to work.

“Thank you to everyone who is working to make Tarboro a more beautiful place to live and work,” Sherrill added.