With the growing season coming to an end, a Brookfield woman is hoping her garden sprouts change throughout her neighborhood.

Gloria Gurga has lived at 3438 McCormick Ave. for three years. The garden was almost bare with only grass and a few rosebushes close to the house when she moved in. A friend and neighbor nominated Gurga’s garden because of the significant change and enhancement it brought to the neighborhood. Brookfield officials must have agreed — Gurga’s garden was chosen as the first place winner in the village’s inaugural garden contest, held the first week of August.

“People noticed an extreme change,” Gurga said. “People stop and tell me they enjoy it all the time.”

The garden is fairly large and has an original design by Gurga, who said it was an artsy endeavor for her. Gurga can be seen outside working on her garden all the time and says it is mostly because it is therapy for her.

“I love being outside and find it extremely therapeutic,” Gurga said.

Gurga is hoping her garden will contribute to increasing property values, and she believes it has inspired neighbors to spruce up their own yards.

“It was a motivator, it motivated people to do the same thing,” Gurga said.

Joan Stewart, member of the beautification committee, said there were certain criteria one needed to meet in order to win the contest. The most important requirement was that the garden was helping to enhance the village.

“Does it really enhance the neighborhood as a whole?” Stewart said was the question judges kept in mind. “The goal is to beautify Brookfield.”

It was not an easy task to choose which garden was number one, Stewart said. Out of 20 entries, none was considered a “hands-down” winner. The criteria for the garden contest was that it must be visible from the street, it had to be interesting and appealing, a pleasing combination of plant materials, remarkable design and enhance the look of the neighborhood.

“I think she (Gurga) deserves number one,” Stewart said.

Gurga received a first-place sign that now rests in her garden, and is pleased that she has helped take part in beautifying Brookfield.

“I am just flattered, I do appreciate the award, I absolutely do,” Gurga said. “(It) turned out to be something everyone enjoyed and appreciated.”

Stewart said this contest is something she hopes to continue every year with the beautification committee.