By Sarah Zimmerman
Locals are starting to get their hands dirty in advance of the BC Communities in Bloom competition taking place this summer.
It’s a province-wide program inspiring communities to enhance and sustain the visual appeal of neighbourhoods, public spaces, parks and streetscapes, say organizers. And they’re encouraging imagination with planting and landscaping, practising environmental stewardship and preserving heritage and cultural assets.
At the heart of the program is a friendly competition between communities – the local Terrace organizing committee is hoping people and businesses here will take on the challenge to help Terrace look its best before judging happens in July.
“We hope that the Terrace area residents and businesses will put extra effort in to make sure our city shines this summer,” says Kerry Giesbrecht, president of the Greater Terrace Beautification Society, and member of the newly-minted Communities in Bloom committee.
“This is a fantastic opportunity for Terrace to show what we do so well already, and to look at areas that we can improve on,” says Giesbrecht.
Already, the committee has gathered a cross-section of participants including representatives from the Greater Terrace Beautification Society, the City of Terrace, Heritage Park, the Terrace Downtown Improvement Area, the Terrace and District Chamber of Commerce and Kermodei Tourism.
In July, judges from Communities in Bloom will evaluate Terrace on its tidiness, environmental action, heritage conservation, urban forestry, landscape and floral displays.
Possibilities include weeding overgrown beds, pruning trees, sweeping sidewalks, planting flowers or planters – anything to enhance the visual appearance of neighbourhoods and storefronts in the city.
Check out the Terrace Communities in Bloom Facebook page or visit volunteers on Saturday mornings at the farmers market.