Skip to content

Abbotsford qualifies for national Communities in Bloom program

City awarded ‘5 Bloom’ rating at provincial level
13695715_web1_copy_Karen-Burke-garden
The garden of Karen Burke of Abbotsford was among those visited by Communities in Bloom judges earlier this year. Abbotsford has now been awarded a “5 Bloom Community” rating, which qualifies the city to enter the national competition. (Abbotsford News photo)

The City of Abbotsford has been awarded the “5 Bloom Community” rating for the provincial Communities in Bloom (CIB) program and has now qualified for the national competition.

This was the second year that the city competed in the competitive edition of the provincial CIB program.

The rating of “5 blooms” is the prerequisite to entering the national version of the contest, in which Abbotsford will participate in 2019.

Abbotsford also received a special mention for the Co-op Community Viewing Platform at Willband Creek, a partnership with the Abbotsford-Mission Nature Club and the Co-op Community Spaces Program.

READ MORE: $90,000 donated for viewing platform at Willband Creek Park

To build awareness about the CIB program and to gain community involvement for the competition, the city hosted a Get Your Bloom On and Your Bloomin’ Wonderful campaign in the spring.

The CIB committee also created a Get Your Bloom On garden tour fundraiser, raising money for both the Abbotsford Community Services’ Urban Garden and the school garden at Auguston elementary.

Many Abbotsford businesses and residents participated in the local contests, and helped ensure that the community was in full bloom when the CIB judges came to town.

CIB ratings are based on eight criteria: heritage conservation, urban forestry, landscape, turf and ground covers, floral displays, tidiness, environmental action and community involvement.

Communities of all sizes and from every region of the province participate in the BC Communities in Bloom program, and each year only a handful are invited to compete nationally.

Mayor Henry Braun thanked everyone who was involved in the city being recognized with the “5 bloom” rating.

“This award was achieved by our entire community – from businesses, volunteers and residents, you all helped showcase our great city,” he said.

Last year, Abbotsford was awarded a “4 bloom” rating.

READ MORE: Abbotsford gardens get ‘4 blooms’ rating

13695715_web1_Communities-in-Bloom-committee
Mayor Henry Braun (fourth from right) is shown here with members of the Communities in Bloom committee and judges for the provincial program. (Submitted photo)