Communities In Bloom

The Communities in Bloom event is a national program that fosters civic pride, environmental responsibility and beautification through community involvement. The focus is on the promotion and value of green spaces in urban setting.

Municipalities begin by competing at a Provincial level until they have achieved enough points to receive a rating of four "blooms" (on a rating scale of one through five blooms) This allows them to move into the National Level of competition.

Huntsville has participated in this event since 1998. Annual judging occurs each summer with eight key areas: Tidiness, Environmental Action, Heritage Conservation, Urban Forestry, Landscape, Turf and Groundcovers, Floral Displays and Community Involvement.

Communities in Bloom Competition for 2009

2009 was the 12th year the Town of Huntsville has participated in the Communities In Bloom program. Thank you to the community to their efforts in previous competitions.  

The Town of Huntsville judging date was Friday, July 31, 2009.  The awards ceremony was on October 3, 2009 where the Town of Huntsville earned five blooms for 2009 in the 10,001 - 20,000 population, National Awards category. Huntsville was awarded our highest ever total.  

Program Benefits

Since 1995, communities have recognized numerous benefits from participating in the program:

• Increased civic pride and community involvement
• Participation from all ages and walks of life
• Citizens, groups, organizations, business and municipal government all mobilized and working together
• Year-round projects and continuous improvement for the entire community information and cultural exchange within the community and with neighbouring, national and international communities
• Valuable information and feedback from the judges
• Decreased vandalism
• Economic development and increased property values
• Marketing and promotional opportunities
• Positive benefits for the tourism, hospitality and retail industries
• Improved quality of life

You Can Participate - What Can You Do?

• Plant a tree
• Plant a garden
• Tidy up an unsightly area
• Adopt a neighbourhood park
• Trade flowers and plants with friends
• Plant a window basket or hanging basket
• Decorate your mailbox and the area around your mailbox with lots of colourful flowers
• Pick up garbage during your daily walk
• Brighten up your neighbourhood and celebrate our heritage
• Get involved and take pride in our community!  

Town of Huntsville Achievements

Our achievements have been as follows:

• 1998: 3-blooms (Provincial Level)
• 1999: 4-blooms and the opportunity to compete at the National level
• 2000: 4-blooms
• 2001: 5-blooms
• 2002: 5-blooms - National Champions
• 2003: Networking Category - 5 blooms
• 2004: Networking Category - 5 blooms
• 2005: International Category - 5 blooms
• 2006: International Category - 5 blooms
• 2007: Friends of Communities in Bloom
• 2008: National Competition - 5 Blooms - Special Mention Mural Depicting Group of Seven Works
• 2009: National Competition - 5 Blooms - Special Mention in the area of Standards for Municipal Sustainable Development

Judges Comments from Previous Years

"The well kept appearance of the town is a testimony to the cooperation among volunteers, town staff, and resort staff. The participation of the businesses in the beautification of Huntsville is impressive." "The countryside around Huntsville, which provided inspiration for the Group of Seven, now incorporates this legacy into the landscape." "The town's efforts to maintain a buffer zone between new buildings and the lake as well as their commitment to a full composting program clearly indicated that this is a town that places strong emphasis on environmental stewardship." "The Downtown waterfront project is both exciting and promising for the future of Huntsville." "Huntsville can be proud of its strong community spirit." "The newly approved Strategic Plan should guide the community well into the future. Care needs to be exercised so that the plan is carried out to the fullest potential."

If you would like to be a part of this program please contact us.

For more information on the Communities in Bloom program, please visit the Provincial and National websites.