2023 Beautification Awards

The Kudzu Warriors is a group of volunteers that has been working for many years to preserve the natural beauty of our area. One of the most damaging dangers to our forests is the spread of kudzu that is slowly killing the native trees. The Kudzu Warriors have been removing kudzu for years and showing us how to get it done. They have worked tirelessly to open miles of trails in many places that the public can enjoy, including: Norman Wilder Forest, Vaughn Creek Greenway, FENCE, Woodland Park, Congregational Church, Oak Hall Condominiums, and others.

Laughter Pond, located on Hwy 108 in Mill Spring near Polk Middle School, is an important public nature area that was improved and renewed with beautiful landscaping of trees and plants, a new fishing dock, and other inviting features for people who want to picnic, fish, or walk the trails. Polk County Parks and Recreation managed this improvement project and many of the students of the 5th grade class at Polk Central Elementary School did the planting.   

Tryon Theatre gets an award for the wonderful outdoor colorful mural on the south side of the building that welcomes people into Tryon with a delightful painting at the top of the exterior wall. It shows a film strip of Morris the Horse with mountains in the background. The entry into Tryon on Hwy 176 from Landrum has been improved by this artistically tasteful mural. This movie theatre is an important feature of our community and has been completely renovated by the Lane Family.           

Planted at Polk Central Elementary School is a special “Pollinator Garden” that will attract and feed insects that are necessary to our plants. A local group called Champions for Wildlife sponsored this pollinator garden and were represented by Alexis Hinchliffe. She worked with 5th Grade Science teacher Andrea Walter and about 60 of her 5th grade students. Together they created a beautiful, buzzing pollinator garden at the school. Many native plants were donated by local area nurseries to make this a Polk County success.