Five properties within the Cottonwood Heights City boundaries are recognized for their landscaping attention, efforts, and work each year. Residents and neighbors are encouraged to anonymously nominate the properties they believe to beautify their neighborhoods. Each of the councilmembers for the city’s four districts then visit all of those nominated properties and score them based on landscaping priorities. After working through the process this summer, the 2024 Beautification & Landscaping Awards were presented by the city council on Oct. 1. 

“The Landscape Beautification Awards program is a public recognition…of the properties in the city that show pride of ownership and evoke the Cottonwood Heights character,” said Community and Economic Development Director Mike Johnson. He noted how residential and commercial landscapes have been recognized over the past seven years with plans to continue this program into next year. 

The Landscaping Award winner for District 4 was a duplex property located on 7660 S. Avondale Drive. The landscaping work was praised for its attention to keeping dark skies. Councilmember Ellen Birrell also noted its welcoming entry way and the flow between the adjacent properties. 

District 4’s landscaping winner is 7660 S. Avondale Dr. (Photo courtesy of Cottonwood Heights)

“We so value every resident no matter the property value,” said Birrell. “I highly value that the owner has gone to the trouble to select native plants as well.” 

Resident Margie Crowley appreciated the comments. “I carried those bricks 15 at a time in my Prius to build the retaining walls,” she said. 

The home at 2371 E. Sundown Ave. won the District 3 Landscaping Award. This property was also praised for its use of waterwise landscaping and variety of plant species. Councilmember Shawn Newell noted the unique creative choices in creating a pathway to the front of the house as well. 

District 3’s landscaping winner is 2371 E. Sundown Ave. (Photo courtesy of Cottonwood Heights)

 “The design of the steps to the doorway with the windows is inviting,” said Newell. 

The homeowners living on 7846 S. Danish Point Place won the Landscaping Award for District 2. The property was praised for the apparent attention toward water conversation utilizing mulch throughout. It was also signified as an important stop along Danish Road as the property is not fenced off and invites pedestrians to sit on the bench facing the sidewalk. 

District 2’s landscaping winner is 7846 S. Danish Point Place. (Photo courtesy of Cottonwood Heights)

 “These wonderful owners have opened themselves up to the community,” said Councilmember Suzanne Hyland. “The property captures the pride and spirit of what our city is.” 

Councilmember Birrell shared her experiences biking past their property often and seeing them laboring in their yard. She took a moment to thank the property owners for providing a spot for everyone to enjoy along the route. 

District 1’s Landscaping Award was designated to the 6750 S. Hollow Dale Drive property. Councilmember Matthew Holton praised how clear it was that the property owners had spent so much time and effort into taking care of their yard. 

District 1’s landscaping winner is 6750 S. Hollow Dale Drive. (Photo courtesy of Cottonwood Heights)

 “Your home stands out and is a bright beacon for that cul-de-sac,” Holton told the homeowners. “Thank you for sharing your passion and love.” 

While the residential property award winners are selected from the anonymous nominations submitted to the city, the business award winner is selected from all the business properties within the city’s boundaries by the mayor. 

“It screamed to me that this is a business that cares about its community,” said Mayor Mike Weichers. 

Alpha Coffee was this year’s commercial winner for landscaping. Their recent development work was praised for the careful planning of landscaping features to veil the parking lot behind foothills and mountain views. It was also evaluated for being waterwise with the inclusion of a rock path for that water. Alpha Coffee’s recently-developed deck was noted as a feature for patrons to spend more time outside as well. 

Alpha Coffee has won the Landscaping Award for this year’s commercial property. (Photo courtesy of Cottonwood Heights)

“As residents and business owners, we love Cottonwood Heights,” said Alpha Coffee founders and owners Carl and Lori Churchill. 

Each of the Beautification & Landscaping Award winners received a gift card to Home Depot and, new this year, a sign to put in their yard that calls them out as winners.