California Cities Helen Putnam Award for Excellence

Santa Clarita Uses Community Approach to Strengthen Neighborhood

The city partnered with residents to find creative ways to address tough challenges.

Elk Grove Rain Garden Plaza Showcases Water Conservation

A public project demonstrates sustainable stormwater management practices and offers an educational, inviting space.

San Clemente’s “Fun on the Run Fitness” Focuses on Youth

The Fun on the Run Mobile Recreation program visits four low-income neighborhood areas weekly to keep children engaged and active after school with physical activities, games, crafts and nutrition…

Ontario Provides Homeless With Continuum of Services

The City of Ontario partnered with Mercy House Living Centers to create a full-service continuum of care that would provide the social and capital infrastructure necessary to transition all…

Malibu’s Legacy Park: A Public Works Approach to Sustainability

Every year, thousands of visitors flock to Legacy Park, which was designed to showcase six regionally significant habitats, including the coastal prairie, woodlands, coastal bluffs, riparian…

Montclair and Ontario Invest in Future Workforce

Like many cities throughout California, Montclair and Ontario are faced with breaking the cycle of low adult educational attainment, family poverty and workforce development hurdles. An innovative…

Walnut Creek Takes a Graphic Approach to Its Budget

The city did something dramatically different with its budget report to capture the community’s attention about a looming deficit.

Santa Maria’s Listos: Disaster Preparedness Program Builds Trust

The City of Santa Maria’s Listos program emphasizes sharing emergency and disaster preparedness skills, using a culturally appropriate curriculum that overcomes language and trust barriers.

A Tale of Two Cities: Pleasant Hill and Walnut Creek’s Community Service Days

These projects increase civic pride and produce remarkable results.

Cathedral City Takes Action on Energy Efficiency

Using a variety of partnerships and local initiatives, Cathedral City reduced its energy costs.

Redlands311: Smartphone App Serves Residents

The app provides a way to report a wide range of issues, including potholes, vandalism, water leaks and more, directly to city staff.

SmartRiverside Transforms Community and Fosters Innovation

SmartRiverside has helped transform the city by promoting high-tech businesses, encouraging collaboration and creating a forum for communication between students and high-tech organizations.

Lancaster’s Holistic Approach to Healthy Neighborhoods

The Neighborhood Impact Program uses neighborhood revitalization and partnerships to address health, safety and social issues.

Fontana Revitalizes Downtown With a Focus on Seniors

The city provided its senior population with high-quality, affordable housing close to the services they need.

Perris Reaches Out to Make Sewer System Upgrade Possible

How one city overcame significant community resistance.

San Carlos Adopts Innovative Contracting Techniques to Maintain Service Levels

Like many California cities, San Carlos has faced some serious budgetary challenges in recent years.