FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Friday, June 25, 2004

CONTACT: Nicole Nordbye, (605) 773-3301 nicole.nordbye@state.sd.us

Wylie Park is No. 2 Lawn for Family Fun

PIERRE, S.D. – The votes are in and Wylie Park in Aberdeen has been named No. 2 of the nation’s Top 10 Lawns for Family Fun by Briggs & Stratton. The designation comes after thousands of voters weighed in with their opinions at www.toptenlawns.com. Wylie Park was nominated by the South Dakota Office of Tourism.

“When the judges read the nomination for Wylie Park and saw photos, they knew right away that it definitely belonged on the list of our country's Top 10 Lawns for Family Fun,” said Anita Fisher, Briggs & Stratton marketing communications manager. “From quiet, peaceful areas to the fun-filled Storybook Land, Wylie Park's 210 acres of beautiful manicured lawns offer something for families with all types of interests.”

Briggs & Stratton has honored impressive public lawns around the country since 1998. This year, the Milwaukee-based company honored beautiful green spaces perfect for family activities. State tourism officials and lawn and garden media nominated worthy lawns throughout March. Briggs & Stratton, Turfgrass Producers International (TPI) and Yard Doctor Trey Rogers evaluated the nominations and determined the 10 finalists based on overall appearance, lawn/garden maintenance and suitability for family activities.

For the first time since the program's inception seven years ago, Briggs & Stratton invited America to vote on-line to determine the No. 1 lawn.  Following are the voting results:

     1. Waterfront Park – Louisville, Ky. 

     2. Wylie Park – Aberdeen, S.D.

     3. Harriet Island Park – St. Paul, Minn.

     4. Point Fermin Park – San Pedro, Calif.

     5. Woodson Art Museum's Margaret Woodson Fisher Sculpture Garden – Wausau, Wis.

     6. The Memorial Lawn at Stone Mountain Park – Stone Mountain, Ga.

     7. Loose Park – Kansas City, Mo.

     8. Finlay Park – Columbia, S.C.

     9. The Chicago Botanic Garden – Glencoe, Ill.

   10. Cranbrook Educational Community – Bloomfield Hills, Mich.

This is the second time a South Dakota lawn has been recognized by Briggs & Stratton. The company selected the South Dakota State Capitol as one of the Top 10 lawns in 2002.

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