The annual New Hope RAVE! Award Program recognizes the efforts of New Hope residents who put a lot of time and energy into maintaining or improving their yards and homes to make them something special. The New Hope City Council encourages residents to nominate a neighbor who takes exceptional pride of ownership or who is particularly attentive to maintaining their residential property. Self nominations are also encouraged. Properties may be nominated in one of several categories:
- General property maintenance and improvements
- Remodel, renovation, or addition
- Landscaping
- Gardens
- Environmentally sensitive improvements (i.e. rain garden, green building, etc.)
- Other
Award recipients receive an engraved garden stone to display in their home or garden, are recognized at a City Council meeting, and highlighted in the In Touch city newsletter.
The New Hope City Council established the Good Citizenship Award program in 2011 to recognize persons who exemplify acts of good citizenship. Frequently, individuals volunteer in various ways to make New Hope a better place to live, work and play and receive no acknowledgment for their work.
The City recognizes that the strength of a community is dependent upon a strong network of citizens who devote time and effort to improve the quality of life by helping others.
Examples of volunteer work to improve the quality of life in New Hope include:
Nominations for the Good Citizenship Award are accepted January through March and reviewed by the City Council. Elected officials may not receive the award. The City Council will publicly recognize award recipients and present them with a Certificate of Good Citizenship at an official council meeting.