West Chicago hopes for America in Bloom recognition

America in Bloom's Executive Director Laura Kunkle recently visited downtown West Chicago with Mayor Ruben Pineda and city staff members as Kunkle prepares for the annual AiB Symposium this October in St. Charles.

Pineda talked about the city's involvement with Monarch conservation, Healthy West Chicago, and the Central Main Street Redevelopment Plan.

"Laura's visit was a great opportunity to spend some time learning more about America in Bloom, and to share some of the exciting plans for the future of West Chicago, " Pineda said.

A stroll down Main Street included a stop at the Kruse House Gardens to view seven of the 36 artist-designed butterflies of The Butterfly Effect, a joint project involving the West Chicago Garden Club, the West Chicago Cultural Arts Commission, the America in Bloom Committee and People Made Visible.

"The Butterfly Effect is a project that epitomizes the collaborative spirit of America in Bloom," said Rosemary Mackey, AiB committee chairwoman and the city's marketing and communications coordinator.

Continuing down Main Street, stops were made at the Monarch Waystation at city hall to view the thriving pollinator garden and another artist-designed butterfly, the signage installed for the AiB/CN EcoConnexions From the Ground Up Grant for the 2019 Parkway Tree Planting Program, the 2019 Community Art Banners themed Love, the downtown flower beds that were planted by community volunteers and elected officials, and hanging baskets donated by Ball Horticultural.

The AiB committee soon will release the official 2019 Community Profile and the tour stops for the judges, who arrive July 21-23. The two-day tour is an opportunity for the committee to wow judges with all the work being done by the many community partners involved.

The judges' visit also provides the community with important feedback and suggestions on its revitalization and beautification efforts, and - officials hope - will result in a designation for West Chicago as an America in Bloom City at the October Symposium.

For more about the city's efforts with this national program, visit www/westchicago.org under About/America in Bloom.