Mississippi Mills won a prestigious Communities in Bloom award for its floral displays during a gala awards ceremony at the Chateau Laurier in Ottawa today. The town took the top spot ahead of numerous competing communities across Ontario.
Communities in Bloom is is “a Canadian non-profit organization committed to fostering civic pride, environmental responsibility and beautification through community involvement… with focus on enhancing green spaces in communities,” and each year hands out both national and provincial awards in various categories. Competing communities submit detailed written submissions and are then visited by a panel of expert judges with backgrounds in horticulture, forestry, urban planning and related disciplines.
Mississippi Mills’ entry this year was coordinated by the Town’s Beautification Committee, chaired by Fern Martin, and by Town staffer Tiffany MacLaren. They submitted an extensively illustrated booklet and hosted the judges when they arrived here in June. After touring Almonte, Ramsay, Pakenham and Clayton the judges conveyed their general impressions, and gave suggestions for ‘green’ programs and activities the Town might consider for the future.
The Town was also awarded 4 out of a possible 5 ‘Community Blooms’ for its overall appearance and conformance with the program’s criteria.
More information to follow.
