Last Friday the Provincial Judging Panel from Communities in Bloom came to our fair town to see firsthand just what the Developers, Parks Department, Businesses and Residents have been up to in creating and beautifying the local landscape. The success of this day can be attributed to not only having this show of pride in our private and public spaces but also to the fact that along the way we have not lost the history of the lake.
Morning coffee and muffins gave members of Streetscape, the Historical Foundation, Parks, our local garden centers, and town employees a chance to mingle and meet judges Lorna McIlroy and Doug Hornbeck.
For McIlroy who came from Grande Prairie it was her first visit to Chestermere. She is a retired teacher who took her passion for gardening to a new level by completing the Prairie Horticulture Certificate Program. Presently she serves as President of the Alberta Horticultural Association and Communities in Bloom Judge at the provincial, national and international level.
Hornbeck who ran a wholesale flower business now serves on the Board of Directors for the Devonian Gardens just north of Devon.
It was a day well spent showcasing the flavors of our town. Our pathways that weave and connect all areas of town pass through much diversity from the wild to the manicured, through birth forests, bike and skate parks, beach parks complete with pavilions, volleyball nets and tennis courts, specialty gardens and unique water features all which serve as expressed by Mayor Patricia Matthews the opportunity for Chestermere’s residents to enjoy the outdoor spaces and lake.
Mayor Matthews told the judging panel that newcomers to the town don’t realize many of the celebrations and parks are newcomers themselves. She said that while the lake has its history many of the events that people see now have only come into being throughout the past six years. The first Canada celebration took place in 2007, with other events such as Art Days and the Movie in the Park coming after to join the list of community and cultural events in town.
Ken Jackson and Alison Cuipa of the town’s Park Department hosted the day which started at the town hall’s “Back Door” with plantings suited to shade. This little garden has come along magnificently framing the north entrance to the municipal building. If you always come to the front doors of town hall it is worth a peek through the back to take in this rich floral display. It’s a little treasure.
The walking tour moved through Peake Park to the off leash area along the north west shoreline. Peake Park was originally a provincial campground complete with camp kitchen. Now a Pavilion centers the park inviting musical events and people for gatherings. It gives the town a permanent location for their 3 annual festivals.
The off leash pathway is the new home to the Fresno display which came about through the generosity of Ken Grove, joined by the efforts of the Historical Foundation and Parks. This Fresno was used by Grove’s father John to maintain Highway 36 when they lived near Castor.
Granny Jen otherwise known as Jen Peddlesden, president of the Historical Foundation gave a presentation to the panel on the significance of this artifact which was used in the dredging of the lake. Nick Taylor of the Streetscape Committee described how man, machine and horse worked together in moving the earth and that in the 1930’s fresno work was often taken in lieu of tax payments. The Fresno originated in Fresno, California.
Moving up from the off leash area up to Westmere took the group to one of Chestermere’s five birth forests. The first birth forest was planted at Founder’s Point in 2005 which marked Alberta’s 100th anniversary. Bill Peddlesden from Streetscape highlighted this planting program which includes a hands on planting celebration with families on National Tree Day September 25. Peddlesden said parents can choose a caliper tree supplied from the town which includes a tag and plaque so that it can be identified as it grows. There is a nominal fee for immortalization in this personalized mini-forest.
After a driving tour of the Westmere and Mattamy Subdivision the group met former mayor Elaine Peake at Founder’s Point which is north east of the bridge. Peake who was mayor when Chestermere was a summer village told the group that this small corner is a microcosm of Chestermere’s history which started as a grouping of skid shacks, trailers and a few cabins.
The Cairn which was erected to celebrate Chestermere’s 25 years as a summer village sits at the center of the park with evidence of the old bridges support beams in the lake behind and Webster’s 100 year old barn to the north. This barn is now the oldest building in Chestermere.
Jackson pointed out the memorial bench along the lakeside which is made of recycled plastic. Another memorial was incorporated into a little bridge that traverses the small slough area, with private funding from the Vlaar family in cooperation with Parks.
Further down into the Cove the drive ended at the town’s north end into another unique park area that has been vastly improved and upgraded since being taken under the wing of the Park’s Department. This area houses the town’s one tennis court.
One of the criteria for participation in this contest is that a community has a recycling program so the next visit was to the municipal grounds which house the standard recycling bins as well as taking in grass clippings and tree branches. Vast improvements and upgrades have been seen by the relocation of this facility from behind the Safeway where it was often messy and unsupervised.
On the east side tour Peake discussed the history of Millennium Park which was revamped by the Streetscape Committee for the then upcoming year 2000. The metal sculptured sailboat was commissioned by Victoria artist and landscaper Illarion Gallant.
After a lunch stop at The Point Restaurant the tour continued with a meeting with Project Manager Milton Ferretti for the new Anniversary Park upgrade which will continue over the next year finishing in the fall of 2014. An exciting aspect of this area which was once considered for subdivision by the town is to extend the land area out into the lake allowing a public beach area. This will be another inviting space for all residents to have lake fun. This park also hosts the Remembrance Day celebration and the new Cenotaph will be installed there.
The Streetscape committee’s diligence continues to bring beauty to the town as seen at the next stop at the rose gardens created along West Chestermere Drive. Member Elaine Palamar said it was exciting to see residents relaxing on the bench taking in the beauty and scent of the many rose bushes donated from Cobblestone Gardens. This garden came to life from the vision of Nick Taylor who continues to inspire the group from his world travels. Future plans may see a possible pergola, dry beds, more seating and a bridge that could provide a backdrop for wedding or graduation photos.
The newest piece of sculpture that came from Streetscape’s collaboration is the metal rye grass stand that is seated in a bed of grasses that Cuipa designed. This work which is located at the end of West Chestermere Drive was also commissioned from Gallant.
In a one woman performance Granny Jen changed costumes to take her audience back in time to the days of her Grandmother Ada Gladys Berry. She was having a hoot entertaining the group with her historical rendering of her grandmother’s accounts of the Lake and the Western Irrigation District. Peddlesden’s family was early residents of Strathmore and Chestermere Lake. The judges had an opportunity to relax, sit down and take in the history while being entertained by the charming escapades of Peddlesden who managed to delight her audience complete with a bathing costume from the 1915’s. Granny Jen may now have a new outfit for her wardrobe.
Lorna and Doug were gracious and genuine, giving their full attention to all during the day. It was a pleasure to spend the day sharing the town’s history, accomplishments, and love of the outdoors and gardens with these two horticultural enthusiasts as the day wore on. The winding up of the day took in the lovely and impressive Rainbow Falls which Hornbeck said reminded him of Hawaii with its lushness and moving water.
The West Creek Pond area which is a success in containing stormwater while providing a native area and walking path was among the last stops. There is much naturalization along the path which combines manicured and native areas which provide nesting for some ducks and resident muskrats as well as inviting many songbirds to the area.
Ending the loop of the day was a stop at the new Historic Murals at the west end lift station. By then all criteria for judging had been viewed. The announcement of winners for the provincial component of the Communities in Bloom will take place in Drayton Valley in September. Congratulations and thank you to the Town, local businesses and residents who were able to bring to the plate an impressive expression of our town’s beauty as evidenced through the day’s tour.
