Communities in Bloom

Winkler's entry in the 2004 Communities in Bloom Competition

The city of Winkler participated in the provincial Communities in Boom competition for the first year in 2004. The intent is to participate each year leading up to the city's centennial year in 2006.

Judging was completed in August during the Harvest Festival weekend.

The City of Winkler was awarded 4 out of a maximum of 5 blooms for its 2004 entry into Communities in Bloom with a special mention for floral displays. Click on the Evaluation Grid link to view complete details.

Click on the About Us link for contact information.

What is Communities in Bloom?

Communities in Bloom is a volunteer-based, non-profit organization committed to fostering civic pride, environmental responsibility and community beautification efforts. Municipal governments, residents, businesses and organizations are encouraged to work together to improve community quality of life.

Involve your community and enjoy the benefits of...

• The outstanding results of beautification efforts
• Increased tourism
• Restored public green spaces
• Increased civic pride
• Heritage property values
• Economic development

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The Competition

Entrants are judged on eight key criteria and awarded bloom points based on meeting these criteria:

1. Landscaped Areas
2. Urban Forestry
3. Floral Areas
4. Turf Areas
5. Heritage Conservation
6. Environmental Awareness
7. Community Involvement
8. Tidiness

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Explaining the Criteria...

Landscaped Areas:

• Efforts by municipal, corporate and private citizens
• Creating an environment where plants are an essential element of their surroundings
• Examples: garden design; using colour, texture, shape; using new materials

Urban Forestry:

• Heritage trees and woodlots
• Preservation of trees and succession planting
• Efforts to develop concepts and designs around existing trees or to include new plantings

Floral Displays:

• Arrangements of flowers and plants using originality, distribution, location, diversity, balance, harmony, quality and maintenance.
• Pertains to: flower beds, containers, baskets, window boxes
• Annuals, perennials, bulbs and ornamental grasses

Turf areas:

• Quality of naturalization
• Use of ground covers, wild flowers, turf management, maintenance
• Pest control and fertilization programs
• Also can include sports fields and athletic parks

Heritage Conservation:

• Support museums, archives, history books, interpretative programs
• Preserve/Restore buildings
• Cemeteries, parks, heritage gardens
• Trees, monuments, artifacts
• Societies and committees

Environmental Awareness:

• Sustainable development
• Waste reduction, landfill sites
• Hazardous waste collection
• Recycling
• Environmental clean up activities

Community Involvement:

• Citizen involvement in various community projects: private, municipal, corporate
• Short and long term projects
• Recreational programs

Tidiness:

• Tidiness of green spaces, medians, streets, sidewalks, ditches, road shoulders, signage, vacant lots, buildings
• Issues: garbage, weeds, maintenance and repairs; droppings; notices/posters; graffiti and vandalism

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