Two Northeast towns had their public spaces thoroughly inspected by National Communities in Bloom judges.
The judges came to Naicam and Kinistino to look at six major categories in relation to community contributions to beautifying their space: tidiness, environmental action, heritage conservation, urban forestry, landscape and floral displays.
Kinistino
Judges were in Kinistino July 20 and 21 taking a look at their Class of Champions (Small) entry that won them 5 Blooms Bronze in last year’s national competition.
Angie Braggwith the Kinistino Communities in Bloom committee said that there was plenty of tidying to do before the judges visit with cemeteries, streets and yards needing some TLC.
The committee was excited to show the judges the facelift they have given the local theatre, said Bragg, as an example of how they’re preserving the heritage of the town.
Kinistino was working to develop Mather Park in 2015-16, so it now has become the site of community barbecues and an old-fashioned soda shop, which is welcome after finishing off dessert.
Bragg said they were excited to show off their new community staple to the judges for another year since they received special mentions for Mather Park during the 2016 competition.
Competing in Communities in Bloom has brought the community together, said Bragg, with everyone getting yards cleaned up and chipping in to help out around the community.
Overall, Bragg said the judges were impressed with Kinistino’s overall tidiness with only a few yards not being tidied in time for the judges’ visit.
Town council also sees the benefits of participating in the program and Bragg said they are supportive of all the efforts made to beautify the town.
Naicam
The Town of Naicam threw their hat into Communities in Bloom for the first time in 12 years, entering the special Canada 150 non-competitive category.
Tammy Riel, the Communities in Bloom committee chair, said looking back at previous visits from Communities in Bloom judges was a big help in preparing Naicam for this visit July 24. Looking at previous judges’ statements and taking a look at where the legacy projects have gone over the years was consistent with what they wanted the judges to see this year, said Riel, as well as where they want to take the town as they prepare for their 100th anniversary in 2021.
“We now have a plan for this year and subsequent years,” said Riel.
Besides continued projects or projects that they have recently started, Riel said the committee was also excited to show the judges’ ideas they had for future projects and to get their feedback on how to sustain these projects.
For the most part, Riel said the committee wanted to show the judges projects that followed a couple of major focuses; infrastructure, water usage, recycling, bylaws and town council support, and the Go Getters program initiatives.
The Naicam School-based group, supported by the Naicam Good Neighbour Store and special 15th anniversary and Canada 150 funding, created 15 beautification projects throughout the town with each project receiving $150.
Riel said some projects included flower murals, refurbishing and revitalizing rundown areas of the school’s outdoor areas, and planting trees at the Naicam cemetery as part of their legacy project.
While the program is about more than just flowers, Riel said the committee was excited to use the former – now refurbished – Naicam Fire Department truck, donated by Dean Crozen, as a new planter near the Naicam sign.
“People in the community volunteered their time to move it and then another gentleman [Robin Lindbloom] came forward and asked if he could be a part of the project by restoring it and making sure it was safe.”
The new planter, which was dubbed the Rust in Peace Project, is now newly painted, rust-proof, and even has eyes added on the windshield.
Even though it is not a tow truck, many people have said it now looks like Mator from the Pixar movie, Cars, laughs Riel.
As such a big part of the Communities in Bloom project, Riel said the judges were really impressed with how the community stepped up to contribute to the new planter alone.
Community involvement was a big part of all the projects around town, with many people volunteering their time and energy in preparation for the judges visit.
Riel said that they are hoping to drum up some community pride with their participation in Communities in Bloom and show off Naicam as a gem on the Prairies.
