May 2004
People, Plants and Pride in Medicine Hat
If you think, much like I did, that Communities in Bloom is a competition between cities involving pretty flowerbeds, baskets and city themed colour coordination, think again! Although a significant aspect of Communities in Bloom is about beautifying our city, it is also about so much more. As well as floral displays, it is about community involvement, heritage conservation and environmental awareness.
Leigh Smythe, co-chairman for our local Communities in Bloom project, informed me that in all there are eight different categories our city competes in. They include the aforementioned and urban forestry, landscaped areas, turf and ground cover areas and tidiness effort. Last year the judges scored us an overall average of 86.9%! One of the highest scoring categories for our city was community involvement. Hat's off to all those helping to create such a wonderful environment to live in!
Communities in Bloom originated in Europe and came to Canada around 1995. Medicine Hat's first competition was in 1996. Frank Westgarth, an avid gardener and artist, initiated Medicine Hat's involvement in Communities in Bloom. Most of the original committee remains committed. This committee is made up of various groups, businesses and individuals, including, but not limited to, the parks department, the Horticultural Society, the Multicultural Folk Arts, the CCDA, the Chamber of Commerce, and the Ross Glen Naturalists. Smythe says the diversity of involvement is due to the broad competition categories. Our Canadian competitors include communities in the population range of 50,001 to 100,000, such as Kamloops, BC, St. John, NB, North Bay, ON and our neighbours to the west, Lethbridge, AB.
Communities in Bloom brings about awareness and pride to our community environment. We all know that we do not live in the ideal climate for year-round roses. However, Smythe says that zero-scaping, example, grouping plants with similar water use, is an ideal way to minimize water usage and maintain a lush garden, important for our semi-arid conditions. Our climate is taken into consideration by the judges.
This year's judging event will take place July 28th and 29th. "There are many ways that people can get involved," says Smythe. There is the business beautification awards, sponsored by the Chamber and the CCDA, there is the community gardens through Hillcrest church and there are clean-up and beautification activities. A session at city hall will be held where the different groups and interested parties will present to the judges information regarding their departments or involvements. After which the awards are presented.
Every year the Communities in Bloom committee pick either a flower, colour or colour combination to help provide some continuity around the city. This year the committee has chosen purple and/or pink as a colour for any variety of plant. So when you are eyeing up those lovely annuals to bring home think purple and think pink. Happy planting and remember the three R's (recycle, renew, reuse)!
Questions for me? Please e-mail BeKean@telusplanet.net.