Awards
The Boston Committee presents two awards to groups and organizations working for the improvement of the Boston area
The Boston Bowl for Civic Improvement
This award recognizes the contributions of individuals and organizations who contribute to the improvement of Boston natural spaces:
1994
Lynn Brickly, (BHGC) and Gale Minot, (CHGC)
1995
Mrs. Brooks Brown, Jr., (PGC)
1996
Mrs. G. Kennard Wakefield, (NGC)
1999
Mayor Menino, City of Boston
2000
Justine Liff, Commissioner of Parks, Boston
2001
Stella Trafford, one of the founders of the Friends of the Public Garden
2002
Leo Levy, founder of Newton Pride
2003
Henry Lee, Chairman of the Friends of the Boston Public Garden
2005
Laurence Coolidge, for clearing the Banks of the Charles River
2006
Renata von Tscharner, founder of the Charles River Conservancy
2007
Carol Stocker, Garden writer, Boston Globe
2009
Margaret Pokorny, Back Bay Horticultural activist
2010
Corliss Engle (posthumously), Master Horticulturalist and former Massachusetts Horticultural Association Trustee; and Betsy Shure-Gross, founder, National Association for Olmsted Parks and the Charles River Watershed
2011
Arabella Dane
2013
Eugenia Beal (posthumously), affectionately known as “the mother of parks and green space in Boston”
2015
Antonia Pollack, Parks Commissioner, Boston
2017
Governor and Kitty Dukakis, for their unending support of the horticultural and conservation efforts
2019
Marion Pressley, for her leadership and ongoing contributions to numerous park projects in Boston and beyond
2020
Betsy Ridge, for her knowledge and guidance assisting with projects in the Boston area
2024
Liz Vizza, for extraordinary leadership as President of the Friends of the Public Garden
2025
Sarah Freeman, for decades of grassroots advocacy to preserve greenspace and promote environmental justice
2026
Linda Cox & Jeryl Oristaglio, for visionary leadership in founding the Esplanade Association and revitalizing Boston’s historic Charles River waterfront
Beautification Awards
This award recognizes the contributions of individuals and organizations who contribute to the improvement of Boston natural spaces:
1994
Lynn Brickly, (BHGC) and Gale Minot, (CHGC)
1995
Mrs. Brooks Brown, Jr., (PGC)
2001
Karen McCabe, Founder of Sea Circle Gardens in Charlestown
2002
McDonalds in Dorchester
2003
McGolf on Route 109 in Westwood
2005
Tom McNichol, creator of Charles River Clean Up
2007
Community Outreach Design, for pro bono design of the Neighborhood House Charter School in Dorchester
2011
Boston University, for its commitment to beautification along Commonwealth Avenue
2012
Boston University, for enhancement projects along Commonwealth Avenue
2013
China Altman, Founder of the Rose Brigade of the Boston Public Garden
2017
Fredericka Veikley, for orchestrating the creation of the Fenway Neighborhood’s beloved Ramler Park
2024
The Garden Club of the Back Bay, in recognition of a half century maintaining the street trees of Boston’s Back Bay
2025
The Fallon Company, in recognition of their extraordinary commitment to designing, creating, and maintaining exceptional public spaces at Fan Pier Park in Boston’s Seaport district.
An Area Committee of The Garden Club of America
Our Mission
We provide support for the design and beautification of parks and green spaces, we encourage civic achievement in horticulture and conservation through grants and awards, we educate the public on horticultural practices and the natural environment, and we advocate for our parks and our environment.
The Blossom Fund
In 1997 we formed The Blossom Fund that provides “seed” monies to assist in launching projects of horticultural impact within Boston. Our belief is that a healthy urban population and vibrant economic hub will benefit all.