Communities in Bloom judges touring Barrie

TheBarrieExaminer.com
July 21, 2014

The City of Barrie is pruning and tidying up in preparation for the annual Communities in Bloom competition which takes place Tuesday and Wednesday.

This is the city's 17th year participating in the competition, a program that fosters civic pride, environmental responsibility, beautification and enhancement of green spaces.

“(Bloom) judges look for community participation, cleanliness of all sectors throughout our city and everyone’s beautification efforts, whether it’s residential or the commercial sector,” says Mona Boyd, parks horticulture co-ordinator.

“As per CIB mandate, the city is showcased as a whole, so we ask that all residential, commercial and industrial properties jump in and get their properties in tip-top shape. This includes weeding floral displays, landscaped areas, the curb line in front of your property, and turf areas cut and trimmed.”

Bloom judges Evelyn Alemanni from Escondido, Calif., and Richard Daigneault from Ottawa, will tour the city on July 22 and July 23.

They will evaluate on the following criteria: floral displays; landscaped areas; urban forestry; tidiness; community involvement; heritage conservation; turf maintenance and environmental awareness.

In 2013, Barrie was awarded another five bloom rating — the highest possible, in the International Challenge (large category) for its Green Infrastructure Plan. In recent years, the city has been presented exceptional awards in several categories including Floral Displays, Community Involvement, Turf Areas, Environmental Efforts, and the City of Barrie Strategic Plan. This year, Barrie competes in the Class of Champions (medium - large category) alongside the Municipality of Brooks and Medicine Hat, bother in Alberta, Summerside, P.E.I., and Westmount, Que.

For more CIB details, visit barrie.ca/communitiesinbloom