The American Society of Landscape Architects honored the Church July 15 with a "once-in-a-century" me-dallion award, for its world-renowned landscaping and gardens at Church headquarters in downtown Salt Lake City.
The gardens, located on Temple Square and the plaza between the Church Administration and Church Office buildings, are comprised of 165,000 flowers of 460 different varieties.
Peter Lassig, who is in charge of the gardens, called it a "real honor" to be singled out by the professional society.
The Church is one of 362 organizations across the United States to be lauded by the ASLA with the Medallion Award. The award's purpose is to recognize America's most influential landscapes, which during the last century have contributed to improving a community, its people, its history and its culture.
Brother Lassig said the Church's beautiful gardens are the result of thousands of hours of work by many people — including 34 full- or part-time employees and 50 volunteers who work at least four hours a week. In addition, more than 3,000 volunteers help prepare the gardens each spring and fall.
"There is nothing like this in the world because no where else do you have such a concentration of so many thousands of volunteers willing to make so much happen at once," he said. With the completion of the new assembly building, the Church grounds will cover nearly 30 acres, making them among the largest formal gardens in the world.
"A lot of people have said we have a world-class garden," said Brother Lassig. "But to have a professional organization say that is a very significant statement."
