Pretty Orangeville properties to get nod from local Communities in Bloom committee

Orangeville.com
Aug. 9, 2014
By Bill Tremblay

Orangeville has what it takes to become a Communities in Bloom town, according to Ted Zarudny, one of the competition’s judges.

Communities in Bloom is a Canada-wide program that seeks to improve communities by advancing local pride, encouraging environmental responsibility and advancing beautification through community involvement.

Zarudny, who lives in Orangeville, is leading the charge to get his hometown included in the list of municipalities designated a community in bloom.

“I think we have what it takes to be in the competition, and I think we have what it takes to do very well,” Zarudny said. “But I’m biased, I guess.”

As a competition judge, Zarudny travels across Canada assessing the efforts of other municipalities.

Unfortunately for Orangeville, he is forbidden from evaluating his hometown.

“I’ve been in Orangeville now for close to 40 years. I’ve seen it grow and I find what we have here in town by all means meets the criteria, in my estimation,” he said.

To help rally Orangeville residents behind the cause, the local committee is planning to recognize properties that already stand out from their neighbours.

“It tries to bring the community together. It makes everybody feel proud of their community,” Zarudny said.

Coun. Jeremy Williams, a member of the local committee, said they plan to place a doorknocker or small lawn sign on properties that stand out.

“It’s to encourage people,” Williams said. “We’ll go out as a committee and recognize gardens around town.”

The local committee is still in the phase of solidifying its membership. Last month, the group of about 10 people held its first meeting.

“We’re trying to get the community behind us and trying to get more people on the committee,” Zarudny said.

“If the program goes forward, there are a lot of different competitions we can promote for homeowners or business owners.”

While Orangeville may have the amenities to qualify for Communities in Bloom, Williams said the local committee isn’t ready to enter the competition just yet.

“This year it’s about getting a core group of people together,” Williams said, adding they plan to enter in 2015. “This is kind of trial run and getting people interested.”

Aside from enhancing beauty, joining Communities in Bloom has the ability to boost tourism, according to Williams.

The organization promotes its member municipalities through a magazine and its website.

“A lot of the tour groups look for towns to visit. They’ll have tourists come into the communities just because its part of Communities in Bloom,” Williams said. “Tourism is an important part of our economic development strategy. This ties in with that.”

For more information about the local Communities in Bloom initiative, call 1-888-407-0727 or email kim_reid@rogers.com.