We won the Smart Communities Award!
June 9th, 2011
Our 2010 Dig Fund project – the Washington Park Gathering Place in Walla Walla, Washington – has won a Smart Communities award from Gov. Chris Gregoire. We’ve been recognized in the Smart Partnership category for effective partnerships and significant public participation.
Thanks to our partners: Walla Walla Parks and Recreation Department, Commitment to Community and Sherwood Trust.
Here’s what the press release says:
Gov. Gregoire Announces 2011 Smart Communities Awards
OLYMPIA – Gov. Chris Gregoire today announced the winners of her 2011 Smart Communities Awards for creating livable communities in Washington State.“Washington state needs to create and maintain vibrant communities if we want to continue to attract a strong workforce and growing businesses,” Gregoire said. “I’m proud of the remarkable work that’s going on across our state to balance economic growth with sustainable development.”
The 12 communities recognized this year are considered models in planning for smart growth. They have shown outstanding work in:
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Innovative and wise land use, resource management, enhanced rural preservation, water utility planning, and transportation planning;
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Effective city-county partnerships and achieving significant public participation; and
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Incorporation of public safety and community gathering places, density supporting transportation, and reducing vehicle miles traveled, and downtown revitalization as key components of their growth plans.
This year’s Smart Vision Award in Comprehensive Planning winners are Kitsap County, the City of Olympia and the City of Poulsbo. Smart Choices Awards in Implementation of a Comprehensive Plan went to the City of Chelan, City of Bothell and City of Vader/Lewis County. Smart Partnerships Awards in Development Projects were given to the City of Hoquiam, City of Walla Walla and Pierce County. The cities of Waitsburg and Mukilteo both received Judges’ Merit Awards.
“The forward-thinking leadership demonstrated by these communities is part of what makes Washington a great place to live and do business,” said Department of Commerce Director Rogers Weed. “Sustainable and smart growth protects valuable resources and improves our quality of life.”
Awards will be presented to city winners on June 23 at the Association of Washington Cities conference in Spokane. County winners will receive awards at the Washington State Association of Counties annual meeting on November 16 in Bellevue.
The Governor has rewarded outstanding local planning efforts through the Smart Communities Awards since 2006. The Smart Communities Awards are administered by the Growth Management Program at the Washington State Department of Commerce. For more information on the Governor’s Smart Communities Awards or the Growth Management Act, visit www.commerce.wa.gov/growth.
