The Town of Chestermere is inviting residents and businesses to get involved in the Communities in Bloom initiative again this year.
For the second year in a row, the town is participating in the nationwide competition between municipalities designed for fostering civic, environmental responsibility and beautification through community involvement.
Last year, Chestermere competed provincially and was named one of the 2014 Finalists, receiving an invitation to participate in the 2014 National Edition of Communities in Bloom under the category of communities with a population of 9,001 – 20,000.
Since March, the Town of Chestermere Parks staff have been busy in the parks greenhouse planting 7,500 individual plants to be used for beautifying the public spaces within town. Each plant was started in the greenhouse either as seed, bulb or plug, and many have already been planted in gardens near Town Hall and other park spaces.
“It’s a labour of love,” says Ken Jackson, Parks Supervisor for the Town of Chestermere.
An astonishing 95% of all the plants found in public spaces within Chestermere come from the town’s greenhouses, located at the Public Works Yard. Just a short walk through John Peake Park and one can see some of the nearly 70 beautiful hanging baskets that were created by Jackson and his staff at the Parks Department.
Jackson says that while it is a lot of work, having a municipality owned greenhouse allows for a much better quality plant for a lesser cost than what you might find at a garden centre.
The national program which began in 1995 with only 29 communities has flourished across the county. Today, the pride and sense of community and feeling of accomplishment generated through participation is visible in communities all over Canada.
In July, trained volunteer judges will travel across Canada to evaluate the communities and their overall contributions of municipality, businesses and institutions and residents, including volunteer efforts.
Eight key criteria will be closely looked at by the judges, who will be determining the accomplishments of the entire community including: Tidiness, Environmental Action, Heritage Conservation, Urban Forestry, Landscape, Turf & Groundcovers, Floral Displays and Community Involvement.
Jackson said that the town is looking for more residents and businesses to participate by not only planting flowers in their yards or on their front steps, but by cleaning up the community as well. “We really want people to participate by planting flowers, shrubs and trees,” says Jackson, “And it is always nice to see the schools and other groups out cleaning the areas they use as well.”
In an effort to boost participation, the Chestermere Streetscape Committee will be holding a local yard competition. If you, or someone you know should be recognized for their beautiful yard, then nominate them by emailing the town at town@chestermere.ca with your submission to make sure their yard is included in the judging.
The Town website offers some great ways that you and your family can get involved. Some suggestions include: plant pansies (Chestermere 2014 community flower), pick up the small free signs from Town Hall to put in your front yard indicating your participation and support for the program, tidy up your yard, plant some extra trees and flowers.
Last year, there were close to 50 homes registered in the local yard competition. The deadline to be entered this year is July 11.
Garden Scents and Cobblestone Garden Centres are offering a discount when you indicate you are participating in the Chestermere Communities in Bloom program.
“It’s all about beautifying the urban environment through community involvement,” explains Jackson, “Communities in Bloom encourages residents to be aware of the environment – even the smallest effort contributes to making Chestermere a better place.”
The national judges will be in Chestermere July 25. For more information on the Communities in Bloom program, visit the Town website at www.chestermere.ca/bloom
