Will County Gazette

The Village of Park Forest Beautification Awards Committee will begin accepting entries for the 2025 Beautification Awards on June 2. Residents can submit up to six properties per entry form until June 20. Submissions are accepted in person at the Department of Recreation, Parks & Community Health at Village Hall or online.

Susan Blatchford, Chair of the Beautification Committee, highlighted the awards as a means for residents to engage with their community. "The Beautification Awards Committee has been around for over 50 years," she stated. "Judges aren't looking for people to spend thousands of dollars to be nominated. We're looking for well-kept homes that add value to the Village."

Judges will evaluate homes based on ongoing maintenance, care, and neighborhood enhancement. Landscaping should be in good condition, but flowers are not necessary to win. "We're looking for homes in good repair," Blatchford noted. "House numbers must be present on the home and unobstructed."

Blatchford emphasized that ordinance violations would lead to disqualification and advised residents to check for issues like peeling paint or damaged siding. She added, "The great thing about this award is it inspires the community to take some extra time and make their properties look better."

Judging will occur from June 29 through July 18, with judges surveying all entered properties while wearing badges and displaying placards on their vehicle dashboards.