City Recognizes Evergreen Award Winners

On Monday night, the St. Louis Park City Council recognized the three recipients of this year's Evergreen Awards.

Evergreen Awards are awarded annually to local homeowners and business owners who help beautify the community through their landscaping and gardening. Nominations can be submitted by anyone in the community, and a five-judge panel picks out the winners.

This year's winners are:

Charles and Linda Solender, of 3741 Pennsylvania Ave. S

The Solenders have spent the last six-and-a-half years beautifying this property. Linda said she likes to feature a variety of textures and colors, and she does this by planting different bulbs throughout the year.

"I love gardening," she said. "It's my passion."

Thom and Peg Hanssen, of 6504 Minnetonka Blvd.

Living on a busy road means plenty of passers-by, but rather than put up a fence for privacy, the Hanssens decided to create a natural barrier that also happens to be attractive.

"Everyone else is able to enjoy it," Thom said.

David and Mary Hatzung, of 4029 Vernon Ave. S

The Hatzungs fall into the business-owner category, as calls 4029 Vernon home. David said when he opened the insurance agency 10 years ago, he wanted to "make the outside look as nice as the inside."

"We get a lot of positive comments (about the landscaping)," he added.

For information on how to nominate an Evergreen Award winner for next year, email the city's environmental coordinator, Jim Vaughan, at jvaughan@stlouispark.org.