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