Sundre Residents > "Communities in Bloom"

Communities In Bloom 2006

Communities in Bloom is a Canadian beautification program that provides information and education and awards Bloom Ratings for achievement in floral displays, landscapes, turf, urban forestry, community involvement, heritage conservation, environmental awareness and tidiness.

National beautification programs have flourished in Europe, including England, France and Ireland for decades, and were the inspiration for Communities in Bloom. It began in 1995 with 29 Canadian communities and has grown to more than 100 national and hundreds of municipalities registered in the provincial editions.

Communities in Bloom promote involvement and action by citizens of all ages, the municipal government, local organizations and businesses. The program strives to improve the tidiness, appearance and visual appeal of Canada's neighbourhoods, parks, open spaces and streets through the imaginative use of flowers, plants and trees. A focus on environmental awareness and preservation of heritage and culture is also an integral part of its success resulting in an improved quality of life.

This volunteer-based, non-profit organization is committed to fostering civic pride, environmental responsibility and beautification through community participation and the challenge of national competition.

The Town of Sundre has participated on the provincial and national levels of the Communities in Bloom competition. Sundre won the provincial level in 2000 and then was invited to partake in the national competition. We have been awarded from 3 - 5 blooms within the years.

The Town of Sundre once again competed on the national level this year. Town staff and community members worked hard to prepare for the judging held on July 24th, 2006. The Communities in Bloom judges were Ivan Stinson and Diane Czapla. The judges were very pleased with the results - they were generous with their complements regarding our town.

The judges have eight categories that they evaluate, below is a list of the categories and descriptions of them:

Tidiness includes an overall tidiness effort made by the municipality, businesses, and private citizens of a community. Tidiness of green spaces (parks, etc), medians, streets, sidewalks, ditches, road shoulders, signage, vacant lots and buildings with regards to garbage, weeds, maintenance and repair, dog droppings, notices/posters, graffiti and vandalism.
Environmental awareness is a new category for Communities in Bloom as it enters its second decade. The organization is working to expand on its leadership position in delivering environmental awareness programs to communities across the country.
Community Involvement includes citizens from the private, municipal and corporate sector (including all forms of local businesses) and their involvement in various community projects. Volunteers involved in long and short-term projects (Family Day, Clean-Up Day etc.) and recreational programs (coaches, team managers, etc).
Heritage Conservation includes efforts made by municipal, corporate (including all forms of local businesses) and private citizens to preserve heritage within their community. Support and attention to museums, archives, history books and interpretative programs, policies and by-laws, preservation and restoration of buildings, cemeteries, parks, heritage gardens, trees, monuments and artifacts, historical societies and advisory committees.
Urban Forestry includes the efforts made by municipal, corporate (including all forms of local businesses) and private citizens in regards to urban forestry. It includes any written policies, by-laws and regulations, short and long-term plans, maintenance (IPM, pruning, etc), new plantings, heritage trees and woodlots, preservation of trees and succession planting. Efforts in developing concepts and designs around existing trees or to include new plantings assist the municipalities.
Landscaped Areas includes the efforts made by municipal, corporate and private citizens in regards to creating an environment where the plants form an essential element of the whole surroundings. It includes overall design and suitability for location and/or use, the use of native plant materials or introduction of new materials, a balance of plant material and constructed elements, harmony (colour, texture and shape), integration of art elements and high standards of maintenance and site rejuvenation and rehabilitation.
Floral Displays include the efforts made by municipal, corporate (including all forms of local businesses) and private citizens. It includes arrangements of flowers & plants, originality, distribution, location, diversity and balance, harmony, quality and maintenance. This pertains to flower beds, carpet bedding, containers, baskets, window boxes - annuals, perennials, bulbs, ornamental grasses etc.
Turf and Groundcover Areas include the efforts made by municipal, corporate (including all forms of local businesses) and private citizens. It includes the quality of naturalization, the use of groundcovers and wild flowers, turf management (manicured to rough), maintenance (mowing height/frequency, Integrated Pest Management (IPM), fertilization programs, irrigation, water restrictions). Areas include private homes, public buildings, municipal and private sports fields and athletic parks.

The 2006 results are in!

The Judges awarded Sundre 5 BLOOMS - the highest amount of blooms available.

Sundre - be proud!

The Municipality is evaluated on the efforts of the community in the following criteria:

Tidiness	104.5 / 125
Environmental Awareness	105 / 125
Community Involvement	110.75 / 125
Natural & Cultural Heritage Conservation	100.75 / 125
Tree / Urban Forest Management	95.5 / 125
Landscaped Areas	103 / 125
Floral Displays	104 / 125
Turf & Groundcovers	101.5 / 125

Total Marks:	825 / 1000
Percentage:	82.50 %
Bloom Rating:	5 Blooms
Mention:	Wilderness Exhibit

(Please be advised that the total evaluation marks are based on the perception of the current judges. As a result of modifications made to the evaluation form, marks may be lower than previous years, but do not necessarily indicate a lower level of performance by the community.)

Here are some of the comments that the Judges had to say about our town:

General Comments...

"...A strong volunteer base plays a crucial role in Sundre. It is unusual that the various 'societies' administer and maintain such things as the AquaPlex, Arts Centre, Museum, Curling Rink etc. ..."

"...Although the Communities in Bloom (CIB) program has been successful in Sundre, the judges concur with the suggestions of last year's judges, that a CIB Committee be formed with a representative from Council, Town staff, Garden Club and other key groups. This should help sustain the program and distribute more evenly the responsibilities of keeping 'Sundre Blooming'...."

"...It was a pleasure for the judges to visit your community. Sundre is to be commended for all of its accomplishments and those who made it possible. Thank you for your hospitality and the fun time enjoyed by the judges. Happy 50th Birthday Sundre. Best wishes to all..."

Tidiness...

"...found Sundre to be a town relatively free of debris, litter, dog foulings and graffiti. Very few notices and posters were seen. This tidiness aspect is commendable, even with the construction taking place in this booming town..."

"...The judges suggest that commercial premises may be asked to take responsibility in helping to maintain the sidewalks, curbs and boulevards in front of their premises..."

"...Generally, further encouragement should be given for better lot maintenance in some mobile home areas..."

Environmental Awareness...

"...extremely impressed to hear that the Sundre Community Van Society is a community-run volunteer board that has fundraised to purchase a van to be hired by community members as a mode of community transportation..."

"...the weekly garbage and composting pick up is a fine feature for a town of this size..."

Community Involvement...

"...Sundre Forest Products are an example of an outstanding corporate citizen-both in financial and in-kind donations, for various community groups and projects..."

"...Greenwood Neighbourhood Place is a valuable resource centre for the entire community. The programs seem to be very successful in helping the community help themselves..."

"...Also to be commended are the Elk Lodge, Royal Purple and Lions for their contributions towards community projects..."

Natural and Cultural Heritage Conservation...

"...Pioneer Village Museum, which is strictly funded by donations and run by volunteers, has a wonderful collections and display of heritage items ... Most impressive is the Wildlife Exhibit that was made possible through various donations, especially those made by Chester Mjolness. The work that has been completed so far is outstanding and the final product will certainly draw visitors from far and wide..."

"... unique efforts to produce the collection "Women of Aspenland", to celebrate the towns' 50th anniversary, are commendable..."

"...The Town may consider organizing a heritage committee or historical society whose objectives may be to help preserve and recognize local heritage through the creation of by laws and programs such as a heritage plaquing, building facade improvement etc..."

"...natural beauty of Snake Hill is certainly appreciated by the surrounding community and was thoroughly enjoyed by the judges..."

"...annual school fair is tradition of the past and the judges congratulate those involved in preserving this unique event..."

"...The annual school fair is a tradition of the past and the judges congratulate those involved in preserving this unique event..."

"...Best wishes to the Rodeo group for preserving the 'cowboy' tradition and presenting such a colourful event enjoyed by local people and tourists..."

Tree/Urban Forest Management...

"...pleased to see that the land use by-law includes a section on tree protection, landscaping and tree planting..."

Landscaped Areas...

"...The Town of Sundre Open Space and Trails Plan will act as a valuable tool for planning and budgeting for future projects..."

"...grounds at the hospital have created a peaceful setting and should provide a therapeutic atmosphere for patients..."

"... Sue Nelson and her staff do a commendable job in maintaining and improving the park area..."

"...new Parks Manager, Rab Rawlins, has a keen interest in further developing the many sites and parks within the community...."

"...good distribution of small community parks throughout the town..."

"...The AquaPlex, which came to fruition through fundraising, will certainly be enhanced through the future landscape plans..."

"...Encouragement in the commercial/industrial area towards landscape value would add to the attractiveness to the town..."

Floral Display....

"...impressed with the enthusiasm, dedication and contribution of the Garden Club to Sundre..."

"... innovative idea to recycle the old hanging baskets to be used for winter interest..."

"...The Town may consider a flowerbed dedication program to generate revenue or a flowerbed sponsorship program to help with planting and maintenance of town - owned gardens..."

"...The judges were impressed with the beautiful gardens on Snake Hill that were designed and built by the local high school students. The wood for the project was donated by Sundre Forest Products and the gardens were planted by the Town. What a wonderful partnership!..."

"...having students at the school do the planting in the town planters, provides an excellent means for appreciation of floral design and is a wonderful lesson in volunteerism..."

Turf and Groundcovers...

"...The municipality is looking towards minimizing high maintenance turf areas and expanding upon naturalized areas with indigenous plantings. This will certainly enhance the diversity of groundcovers within public areas..."

"...Parks Department practices for mowing frequency and height, has contributed to producing very satisfactory turf areas..."