COQUITLAM, B.C., June 8, 2023 – Residents are invited to join Coquitlam’s 2023 Communities in Bloom campaign by displaying their gardening skills this summer. Whether they have a balcony that is the talk of the town or a yard that makes people stop and stare, Coquitlam wants to see how the community’s gardens grow – and there are prizes to be won.
The City is recognizing properties with curb appeal – in particular, eye-catching landscaping and plantings – through a new Proud to Grow Here contest. It’s one of many activities planned for the 2023 Coquitlam in Bloom campaign, the City’s entry in the national Communities in Bloom civic pride and enhancement competition.
Proud to Grow Here Contest
Coquitlam has earned numerous provincial, national and international awards over the years through Communities in Bloom and is getting set to wow the judges again this summer.
As the City works to put its best foot forward, it is launching a contest to recognize all types of properties – residential, organization and businesses – that have created appealing frontages, front yards and balconies.
Nominated properties will receive a Proud to Grow Here sign or decal to display on their lawn, garden or business front for a chance to win, as well as shoutouts on the City’s social media channels. In addition to bragging rights, grand prize winners will receive a professional photo of their garden display and a certificate from the City. Proud gardeners don’t need to wait for a neighbour to enter them – self-nominations are encouraged and entries for the contest will be accepted until fall 2023. To learn more and get involved, visit coquitlam.ca/CiB.
Free, Hands-On Activities with Park Spark
In conjunction with Communities in Bloom, the Park Spark team is conducting volunteer planting sessions, pop-up events and other activities throughout the season.
These include free drop-in activities at the Inspiration Garden, posted on Coquitlam’s recreation registration site accessible through coquitlam.ca/registration. Go to Drop In (Pre-registration recommended), click All Ages, and find Drop In Park Spark to sign up these and other activities:
- Pollinator workshops
- Gardening basics – planting from seed
- Composting and worm workshops
- Forest walks
- Summer planter and herb container workshops
- Tree care and pruning workshops
Information on other hands-on activities will be posted at coquitlam.ca/CiB in the weeks ahead. Interested residents can also sign up for Park Spark or Inspiration Garden News at coquitlam.ca/NotifyMe, or contact parkspark@coquitlam.ca.
Coquitlam on Display in July
This year’s Communities in Bloom theme colour is purple. Local gardeners are invited to plant shades of purple in their gardens this year in preparation for a visit in July by the Communities in Bloom judges, who will assess Coquitlam for categories such as tidiness, environmental action, heritage conservation, urban forestry, landscape and floral displays.
Coquitlam will compete against the best of the best in the national Circle of Excellence competition, a category for past winners of Population, International Challenge and Class of Champions contests.
As part of its submission, Coquitlam will provide the judges with a Profile Book showcasing City activities in 2022 that will be posted at coquitlam.ca/CiB by early July.
Inspiration for Gardeners
Beautiful floral and plant displays can be found in many Coquitlam parks and civic spaces, thanks to the work of City gardeners, volunteers and organizations. Find inspiration at locations such as:
- Centennial Rose Garden, a world-class rose garden at 624 Poirier St., maintained by the Fraser Pacific Rose Society;
- The Inspiration Garden at the south end of Town Centre Park (corner of Pipeline Road and Guildford Way); and
- The Mackin Park (1046 Brunette Ave) display garden at the north end of the park.
Watch for signs the City has installed at civic parks and gardens to educate and inspire gardeners.
Learn New Skills and Get Involved
Other opportunities to engage in Coquitlam in Bloom this year include:
- Getting involved, sharing knowledge and learning new skills while enhancing Coquitlam’s parks as a Garden Volunteer; and
- Learning about the health and diversity of pollinators through park fun-fact signs and activities such as pop-up selfie stations.
More details can be found at coquitlam.ca/CiB.
About Communities in Bloom
Communities in Bloom is a Canadian non-profit organization committed to fostering community pride, environmental responsibility and beautification. It uses friendly competition between communities to bring together local businesses, service clubs, residents and civic government to focus on enhancing their community. Coquitlam participates annually and has earned a number of awards at the provincial, national and international level. Learn more about the program at communitiesinbloom.ca. Coquitlam’s participation is outlined at coquitlam.ca/CiB.
Media contact:
Sara Yastremski
Parks Operations Manager
604-927-6312
syastremski@coquitlam.ca
We acknowledge with gratitude and respect that the name Coquitlam was derived from the hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓ word kʷikʷəƛ̓əm (kwee-kwuh-tlum) meaning “Red Fish Up the River”. The City is honoured to be located on the kʷikʷəƛ̓əm (Kwikwetlem) traditional and ancestral lands, including those parts that were historically shared with the sq̓əc̓iy̓aɁɬ təməxʷ (Katzie), and other Coast Salish Peoples.