Grand Prize Winner Fletcher Place Neighborhood – Indianapolis: Virginia Avenue Folk Fest
NUSA named the Fletcher Place Neighborhood Association of Indianapolis the 2016 Grand Prize winner of the NOTY Awards during its 41st annual conference. Finishing first in the Social Revitalization category, the inaugural Virginia Avenue Folk Fest featured 70 live acts on 9 stages and welcomed 10,000+ to the neighborhood. The festival introduced people to Americana, Bluegrass and Folk music, while also promoting local businesses and raising funds for Trusted Mentors, a non-profit.
Each year since 1984, the Board of Directors of Neighborhoods, USA (NUSA) recognizes the commitment and work of neighborhoods in awarding the “Neighborhood of the Year” in multiple categories.
A Grand Prize winner is then selected from the winner from each category. The 2016 award winners are:
Physical Revitalization – Single Neighborhood
First Place
Historic Kenwood Partnership Program
Historic Kenwood Neighborhood
St. Petersburg, Florida
The historic Kenwood Partnership Program partnered neighborhood and local volunteers in this community with physically- and/or financially-challenged homeowners to make much-needed exterior home repairs and yard clean-ups.
Second Place
Adventure Playground Tree House Project
Gifford Park Neighborhood
Omaha, Nebraska
The Adventure Playground Tree House Project involved building a large tree house around two large Catalpa trees as part of the neighborhood’s Adventure Playground program. With the help of adults, youth conceived, planned and built the tree houses.
Third Place
From Labor to Legacy
Sylvan Old Auburn Road Neighborhood
Citrus Heights, California
The Sylvan Old Auburn Road neighborhood partnered with the local park district to involve the community and develop a new nature preserve park. SOAR sponsored with cash and volunteer hours, and the neighborhood received signage in the park in return
Finalist
Arboretum in Glenview Park
Glenview-Edgewood Manor Area
Memphis, Tennessee
This project features the building and maintenance of the arboretum in Glenview Park. This ongoing project includes neighborhood leaders, park services, the state’s Urban Forestry and many volunteers.
Social Revitalization – Single Neighborhood
First Place
Virginia Avenue Folk Fest
Fletcher Place Neighborhood
Indianapolis, Indiana
The Fletcher Place Neighborhood produced the inaugural Virginia Avenue Folk Fest featured 70 live acts on 9 stages and welcomed 10,000+ visitors. The festival introduced people to Americana, Bluegrass and Folk music, while also promoting local businesses and raising funds for Trusted Mentors, a non-profit.
Second Place
Neighborhood Identification, Pride & Engagement
Gibraltar Neighborhood
Council Bluffs, Iowa
The Gibraltar Neighborhood set out to improve neighborhood pride, awareness of boundaries and engagement, both with each other and community projects. The biggest part of this initiative was printing and installation of neighborhood identification banners.
Third Place
Hilltop Street Fair
Hilltop Business Association
Tacoma, Washington
This street fair began two years as a celebration of diversity, energy and tenacity of the residents and businesses of the beleaguered Hilltop area of Tacoma. The community has overcome a long period of crime and is now on the upswing.
Finalist
Clarkson Park Pocket Stage Production
Joslyn Castle Neighborhood
Omaha, Nebraska
This program was implemented when the neighborhood built a pocket stage to host monthly events to draw more neighbors to the park, increase participation in the neighborhood and create a better sense of community and belonging.
Finalist
Women’s Outreach Initiative
Near Eastside Neighborhood
Fort Worth, Texas
The rape of a homeless woman inspired a building owner to organize a meeting of more than 40 groups to create a solution. Together, they created the Women’s Outreach Initiative and over the past year have initiated several safety solutions.
Finalist
Welcome Committee
Oakhurst Neighborhood
Fort Worth, Texas
The neighborhood association’s welcome committee had done outstanding, innovative work in welcoming large numbers of new residents with visit and homemade treats, produced the Newcomers Dinner and put on “Popsicles in the Park” for children.
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