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Communities in Bloom

Communities in Bloom is a Canadian beautification program which invites municipalities from across the province to participate in a friendly competition in which each City is Judged on the efforts and achievements of local residents, community groups, organizations, businesses and municipal departments.

Each year a community enters the competition; two provincial Communities in Bloom Judges visit communities of similar populations for two days to determine the degree of which each community demonstrates civic pride, environmental responsibility and beautification through community participation.

Over two days, the Communities in Bloom judges complete a comprehensive tour including, but not limited to, stops at many commercial, tourism and residential districts and evaluated each in the following categories:

• Floral displays;
• Landscapes;
• Turf/ground-covers;
• Urban forestry;
• Community involvement;
• Heritage conservation;
• Environmental awareness; and
• Tidiness.

For additional information, please visit the National Communities in Bloom web page at www.communitiesinbloom.ca or the Provincial Communities in Bloom web page at www.cibontario.ca.

A Brief History of the City of Niagara Falls in the Communities in Bloom Program

In 2002, the Park in the City Committee reviewed the opportunities and benefits of the Communities in Bloom program. The Committee was split into four (4) focus groups to discuss: Floral/Landscapes; Urban Forestry; Tidiness/Environment; and Heritage.

It was later determined that the efforts of the committees would best be served as a united group and the Park in the City Committee developed the revised mandate to encourage civic pride, environmental responsibility and City wide beautification through community action.

In 2008, the City of Niagara Falls, the Niagara Falls Horticultural Society and the Communities in Bloom sub-Committee nominated the Niagara Falls Armoury Garden in the Community Corner component of the Communities in Bloom Program.

To promote the Communities in Bloom program and to showcase the community’s support, Communities in Bloom Flower Pots were made to order for placement in front of homes or businesses. For more information, view the Flower Pot Sale Poster.

On July 21, 22 & 23, 2009, two Communities in Bloom provincial judges toured our community and met with various representatives of the City, the 2009 CiB Committee and other community groups/organizations. Over the two days, the CiB committee accompanied the judges on a tour of the city, showcasing aspects that address the eight Communities in Bloom criteria.

The CiB judges reviewed what the Municipality, local businesses, community groups/organizations (i.e. schools, service clubs, church groups, etc.) and most importantly, the residents of Niagara Falls are doing to generate civic pride, promote environmental responsibility and help clean up and beautify the City. View a photo record of the 2009 Communities in Bloom Judges Tour.

To view the Communities in Bloom Judges Tour, including a list of all the Communities in Bloom Points of Interest and the Route followed, click here.

On October 3rd 2009, the City of Niagara Falls was awarded a five bloom rating, the highest rating available. For more information, see the following Communities in Bloom media release.

Looking Ahead!

In developing a long term plan for the Communities in Bloom program, the City of Niagara Falls determined not to enter into the full provincial program in 2010. The intent of the City and the Park in the City Committee is to re-enter the full CIB program in the future; with the ultimate goal of being judged at the National level.

To continue promotion of the Communities in Bloom program, the City of Niagara Falls will once again participate in the Community Corner component of the Communities in Bloom provincial program. Stay tuned for future updates about the 2010 Community Corner Entry!

Contact Us

For additional information about Communities in Bloom volunteer and/or sponsorship opportunities, please call Recreation & Culture at 905-356-7521, ext. 3330.

Or contact:
Mark Richardson, Community Development Coordinator
Recreation & Culture Department
City of Niagara Falls
905-356-7521 ext. 3341
mrichardson@niagarafalls.ca

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