Cornerstone Hardscapes Oostburg, WI

Doug Hanus Masonry DePere, WI

Jack's Construction Menasha, WI

Greenway Station Shade Today Rettler Corporation and The Bruce Company of WI, Inc. Middleton, WI

Integrity Mutual Insurance Co. Cornerstone Hardscapes Appleton, WI

Marathon, WI. (March 9, 2004) – The Wisconsin Concrete Masonry Association (WCMA) recently honored several Wisconsin landscape companies and County Materials Corporation with Hardscaping Awards for creating outstanding residential and commercial landscapes.

In the residential category, Cornerstone Hardscapes of Hilbert won a “Finalist” award, and Doug Hanus Masonry of DePere and Jack’s Construction of Neenah won “Honorable Mention” awards. Cornerstone Hardscapes also won a “Finalist” award in the commercial category. Shade Today of Appleton, along with Rettler Corporation and The Bruce Company of Wisconsin, Inc., both of Middleton, took highest honors with an "Excellence" award in the commercial category. County Materials supplied concrete landscaping products and technical support to each winning project.

WCMA presented awards at the Wisconsin Landscape Federation’s annual winter convention at Kohler’s American Club on February 23. Qualifying hardscape structures predominantly featured manufactured concrete landscaping products including segmental retaining walls, pavers and patio stones. Creativity, design excellence, functionality and visual impact were among the judging criteria.

Cornerstone Hardscapes used County Block retaining walls and more than 1,500 sq. ft. of County Pavers to create a flawless backyard sanctuary for an Oostburg residence. So impressive was the patio garden that it was selected as a tour stop in the area’s Garden Walk in 2002.

Doug Hanus Masonry transformed a DePere residence suffering from a steeply sloped lakeside hill with rotted railroad ties and an aged wooden deck into a multi-level lookout with a grand view. Custom colored County Block retaining wall units, 500 sq. ft. of County Pavers and concrete columns unite to provide a pathway to the lake as well as entertainment and resting areas along the way.

Jack’s Construction turned a reoccurring problem into a winning solution for a Menasha homeowner whose paved driveway deteriorated. Tumbled Holland County Pavers were used in the 5,500 sq. ft. circular driveway to endure traffic and Wisconsin weather. The rough “stone-chiseled” texture of tumbled pavers was also a beautiful extension of the home, featuring a weathered brick façade.

In the commercial cateogry, Shade Today, Rettler Corporation and The Bruce Company of Wisconsin, Inc. were honored for landscaping Greenway Station, an open-air lifestyle center in Middleton with shopping, entertainment and dining. The winners received the "Excellence Award," the highest honor in the commercial landscaping category. The Bruce Company installed 40,000 sq. ft. of hardscaping products to create a charming pedestrian environment with extensive landscaping, a centrally located fountain, seating areas and paved walkways. Paving plays a major role in directing pedestrian traffic that calmly flows through the area.

Cornerstone Hardscapes received acclaim for developing a 3,000 sq. ft. reception courtyard that doubled as a break area for employees of Integrity Mutual Insurance Company in Appleton. Interlocking County Pavers, with built in planting beds and seat walls made of County Block retaining wall units created a versatile and attractive outdoor space.