Communities in Bloom judges to visit Strathmore

By Sharon McLeay Times Contributor

On Aug. 2, the Town of Strathmore will be assessed by Communities in Bloom judges.
The Strathmore Communities in Bloom group needs to have the community evaluated every five years to keep up its membership in the national Communities in Bloom organization. A judge will be coming to assess the town under categories of tidiness, environmental action, heritage conservation, urban forestry, landscape and floral displays.
“Preparing for the judging is a lot of work, but the evaluation will provide us and you with areas where we are successful and areas we need to improve,” said Rob Pirie, Strathmore Communities in Bloom chair, at the recent Strathmore town council meeting. “We think Strathmore will do very well. We think it is time to celebrate all the advances that have been made.”
Many of the green spaces around Strathmore have been touched by the willing hands and green thumbs of the Strathmore Communities in Bloom members. Each year, over 145 trees were added to areas in Strathmore through a joint effort of Communities in Bloom, the Town of Strathmore and private contributors.
“Communities in Bloom is a volunteer-based Canadian non-profit organization committed to fostering civic pride, environmental responsibility, beautification and improving the quality of life through community participation,” said Pirie.
The group tries to engage people in Strathmore to come out and help with any ongoing projects. To date, Strathmore Communities in Bloom has helped develop projects such as Gray’s Park, Centennial Park, the Birth Forest, upgrades at the Civic Centre entrance, a sign at Kinsmen Park garden, a community garden and soon a project for Lambert Centre.
Pirie thanked the town for many services in kind already given in preparation for the event. He commended town staff on their good maintenance of the green spaces in town and asked if a sign could be installed prior to the judging. The sign was created by Tom Sadler and it includes pictures of Strathmore’s early history.
“We still need a few more things,” said Pirie. “We would ask the town to use social media and the media to advertise the coming of judges, and to urge residents to tidy up, pick weeds, cut grass, etc.”
Awards are given out for winning communities at the National Communities in Bloom conference held in September.
“Your influence in the community has certainly been a relentless optimistic drive that has let none of us forget the warmth and curb appeal you have brought. I really believe due to the efforts of Communities in Bloom, it led to the improvements in the downtown,” said Town of Strathmore councillor Denise Peterson.
Pirie noted that in the past the town had supported the group financially and somehow the funding was cut off. He asked if discussions could take place about that decision at a later date.
Administration said they would look into the matter.