Stumpf Creative Landscapes, Menasha, and County Materials Corporation, Appleton, were given the silver award for their joint entry of this residential landscape project

MARATHON, Wis. (February 13, 2002) - The Wisconsin Landscape Contractors Association (WLCA) has awarded Stumpf Creative Landscapes, Menasha, and County Materials Corporation, Appleton, the silver award for their joint entry of an outstanding residential landscape project designed and installed in 2001. With County Materials's landscaping products and technical assistance, Stumpf Creative Landscapes transformed a Sherwood resident's plain backyard into a breathtaking environment that includes a fountain, garden, planting beds and entertainment and relaxation areas.

Stumpf Creative Landscapes and County Materials received the award in WLCA's annual statewide landscape competition on February 26, at the associations 2002 State Convention in Wisconsin Dells. The companies are the first to be honored in the competition's new category of Manufactured Hardscape Structures.

This backyard was transformed into a breathtaking environment that includes a fountain, garden, planting beds and entertainment and relaxation areas.

The Wisconsin Concrete Masonry Association and Concrete Masonry Industries co-sponsored the category that's been created to recognize landscapers for their outstanding use of concrete products. Under the same eligibility requirements outlined in WLCA's Landscape Awards Program, contestants enter photographs and slides of their completed structures in subgroups that include residential and commercial projects.

Qualifying hardscape structures were judged on the overall excellence of design and creativity, selection and quality of masonry materials, degree of difficulty, installation techniques and ease of maintenance. Manufactured concrete products provide inherent structural and aesthetic benefits to landscaping. Design flexibility continues to escalate as producers expand the color choices, textures and patterns of their products.