FOLEY, Ala. — Foley’s flowers, parks and community spirit have earned the city national recognition. Foley won the 23,000-33,000 Population Category Award in the 2026 America in Bloom program and received a special award for Community Vitality.
The awards were announced during America in Bloom’s annual symposium and awards celebration, held Sept. 24-26 in the Washington, D.C., area.
Foley’s honors at a glance
- Award: 2026 America in Bloom 23,000-33,000 Population Category Award
- Special recognition: Community Vitality
- Competing communities: Eustis, Florida; Michigan City, Indiana; and Oak Park, Michigan
- Announced: America in Bloom national symposium and awards celebration, Sept. 24-26, 2026, Washington, D.C., area
- Evaluators: America in Bloom advisors Brent Pemberton and Steve Zwiep
Beating out cities from three states
Foley competed in its population category against Eustis, Florida; Michigan City, Indiana; and Oak Park, Michigan. Each community was evaluated in person by trained advisors and judged against the same set of criteria.
Foley’s special recognition for Community Vitality came from America in Bloom advisors Brent Pemberton and Steve Zwiep, who spent two days in Foley during the summer touring the community and meeting with city officials, residents and volunteers.
How communities are judged
America in Bloom evaluates participating communities on a range of criteria, including:
- Community vitality: How a community supports a thriving, welcoming place to live, work and visit
- Overall impression: Cleanliness, maintenance and the general appearance of the community
- Environmental initiatives: Efforts such as recycling, conservation and sustainability
- Heritage celebration: How the community preserves and showcases its history and culture
- Urban forestry: The planting and care of trees
- Landscaped areas: The design and upkeep of parks, green spaces and public grounds
- Floral impact: The use of flowers and plants throughout the community
- Community involvement: How residents, businesses and volunteers take part
What makes the program unusual is that specially trained advisors personally visit each participating community. After their visit, communities receive a detailed written evaluation that they can use to guide future improvements, whether or not they win an award.
‘Some of the best places to live, work, and visit’
America in Bloom Executive Director Laura Kunkle praised this year’s participants and congratulated Foley.
“America in Bloom is helping communities of all sizes achieve their potential. Every year our participants raise the bar, and the accomplishments and progress shown by this year’s group is remarkable,” Kunkle said. “These are, without a doubt, some of the best places to live, work, and visit. Congratulations to Foley for the excellent work making your community more beautiful and vibrant.”
A city known for its green spaces
The recognition reflects years of investment in parks and public spaces in Foley, one of the fastest-growing cities in Baldwin County. The city is home to Heritage Park downtown, landscaped streetscapes along its main corridors and the Graham Creek Nature Preserve, roughly 500 acres of protected land inside city limits with trails, an interpretive center and outdoor recreation. The preserve will soon host national attention of its own when it welcomes the USA Archery Collegiate 3D Nationals in October.
Foley has also emphasized community events, tree plantings and volunteer beautification efforts, the kinds of work America in Bloom advisors look for when they visit.
A national program
America in Bloom is a national nonprofit organization that promotes community improvement through beautification, environmental and heritage efforts. More than 440 communities from 44 states have taken part in the program to date, reaching more than 24 million people.
Registration open for 2027
Registration for the 2027 national America in Bloom program is open through Feb. 28, 2027. Eligible participants include towns, cities, college and university campuses, business districts, military installations and recognized neighborhoods within large cities.
Other communities in Baldwin and Mobile counties interested in taking part can learn more through America in Bloom’s website.