Converse Wins First Place in Annual Landscape Contest

For the second year in a row, Converse College received first place in the Spartanburg Chamber of Commerce and Men’s Garden Club Annual Landscape Contest. “Finding out Converse won the Spartanburg Chamber of Commerce Beautification award is a true honor,” said Mark Osinga, facility planner for Converse. “Winning first place two years in a row is a testament of the commitment and hard work the Converse grounds staff perform throughout the year.”

Osinga added, “It is wonderful having the college grounds recognized by the Spartanburg community and we aspire to live up to the high expectations of this award. We continue to improve the campus grounds and have recently replanted areas along Pine Street and St. John Street. With our new student housing project we will improve parking, install bio-retention ponds and add many new trees to meet LEED requirements.”

According to Jessica Osborne, communications director for the Spartanburg Chamber of Commerce, judging was based on the following components: foundation plantings, lawns, perimeter and other plantings such as trees. Each business and organization was ranked on the following criteria:

Design

• Plant Selection

• Color

• Originality of Design

• Unity of Planting

Execution

• Placement

• Vigor

• Mulch

Maintenance

• The removal of weeds, litter, dead or sick specimens

Overall Impression

• Eye Appeal