Arlington, already flush with a Platinum Scenic City Certification, has its eyes set on another prize—the Scenic City People's Choice Award. The community's efforts could pay off if they manage to rally enough of the public to click and vote online. "So, let's rally together and put Arlington in the spotlight," encourages the City of Arlington. That's right; it's democratically determined bragging rights at stake here, folks. For those who wish to support the cause, the ballot boxes are open online until September 20, 2025. A chance to bolster local pride and possibly snag a trophy for the mantle—or at least a place in the city's virtual awards cabinet.
The City of Arlington is no stranger to recognition, standing on a previous foundation of Gold Certification and then moving up to Platinum status in the Scenic City Certification Program—official nods to the fact that someone's doing something right around the place. According to the City of Arlington, "The City of Arlington was presented with Scenic City Platinum Certification in October 2024 at an event held in conjunction with the Texas Municipal League’s Annual Conference." The city's contenders might want to take note; Arlington is already one lap ahead in this scenic race.
For the uninitiated, Scenic Texas's program isn't just about eye-pleasing policy measures; it's an objective measure of how a city stacks up in terms of the maintenance and development of its public spaces and roadways. The given criteria are stringent, ranging from the beautification of downtown areas to the planting of trees and improving stormwater management. Arlington has been kicking goals through initiatives like pole sign removal incentives and imposing limits on heavy truck parking visual blight.
