Add Green Space and Spruce Up Your Community
Communities In Bloom Urges Canadians to Clean Up Towns and Cities
Mar 12, 2009
A registered Canadian non-profit organization, Communities In Bloom is a national program aimed at protecting and promoting the use of natural green space in communities of all sizes. The group fosters civic pride, environmental responsibility and community involvement while promoting the importance of sustainable green spaces.
What is Communities In Bloom?
The Canadian organization was established in 1995 with the help of similar organizations including, Britain in Bloom, Tidy Towns of Ireland and Villes et Villages Fleuris de France. More than 500 communities across Canada now compete in the annual competition.
Canadian participants are also given the chance to compete internationally against municipalities in the United States, Japan and a number of other European countries.
Judging Criteria for Communities In Bloom
Participating communities are judged based on eight key points. A volunteer jury reviews each community based on participation by residents along with accomplishments in the municipal, private, corporate and institutional sectors.
The following is a list of key judging areas.
- Tidiness: Looks at the appearance of green spaces, sidewalks, streets, buildings and various other places around the community.
- Environmental Awareness: Including sustainable development, waste reduction and recycling initiatives.
- Community Involvement: Based on residents' involvement in local beautification projects.
- Natural and Cultural Conservation: Plans for the preservation of heritage buildings, parks and other local sites.
- Urban Forestry: This area looks at the variety and suitability of trees, main street programs and the preservation of heritage trees.
- Landscaped Areas: Based on design, balance of plants and materials and maintenance.
- Floral Displays: Including location, diversity and originality of flower arrangements.
- Turf and Groundcovers: Including use of groundcover and wildflowers, turf management and maintenance.
Winter Community Contest
Communities In Bloom also features a winter edition of its competition. WinterLights Celebrations was created in 2001 and judges community efforts based on the following points.
- Winter Pleasures
- Festive Celebrations
- Visual Presentation
- Goodwill Program
- Tourism and Promotion
Three new judging areas were added in 2008, including youth involvement, mentoring and winter festival.
Communities Benefit from Participation
Communities that participate in the Communities In Bloom program can help increase tourism and business opportunities. Participants and program winners are also featured in the organization's magazine, Communities In Bloom, and on its website.
According to the Communities In Bloom foundation, municipalities that compete in the annual competition also feel more civic pride and see more hands-on participation from residents, groups and businesses. The project focuses on year-round improvement initiatives in each community and can lead to more economic development and an increase in property values as well.
A decrease in vandalism was also noted.
Municipalities that participate in Communities In Bloom get much more than just recognition for their efforts. The competition is a great way to promote the addition and preservation of natural green space in every community and create a strong sense of community pride and awareness among residents.
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