The Polk County Appearance Commission recently announced its 2011 beautification awards. Winners ranged from a complex project that completely renovated the exterior of a historic building and updated its landscaping to a simpler project that planted much-needed trees in a public space. Winners received plaques at the Polk commissioners meeting June 6.
The four projects recognized in 2011 are as follows:
• Tryon Depot, 22 Depot Street, Tryon; Andy Millard, renter and project developer. The old Tryon train station exterior was completely renovated, including demolition to the framing.
• 4 Hunting Country Trails, Tryon; Sally McPherson, home owners association president and developer; Michael Patterson, landscape director. Landscaping improvements were made to the Hunting Country Trails property entry.
• West end parking lot, 110 W. Main Street, Saluda; City of Saluda, owner and project developer. The west end parking lot in Saluda, which is also used for outdoor events, has been improved by the planting of two large trees, which are surrounded by defined planters.
• Exit 59 at I-26 ramps, Saluda; N.C. DOT, owner and developer; Richard Queen, Hwy. Division 14, division roadside environmental engineer. The public lands on either side of the ramps received new tree plantings of various types.