Coquitlam is asking residents to add some yellow to their gardens and planters this year as part of a national spirit and beautification program.
COQUITLAM, B.C., June 24, 2021 – Coquitlam is asking residents to add some yellow – the international colour of hope – to their gardens and planters this year as part of a national spirit and beautification program.
Coquitlam is taking part in Hope is Growing, a campaign to see the country awash with Hope Gardens – gardens, planters, baskets and boulevards featuring yellow flowers, fruits, shrubs and vegetables.
Coquitlam “yellow thumbs” are encouraged to share photos on social media tagging #hopeisgrowing and #Coquitlam, and to register their Hope Garden at www.hopeisgrowing.ca for a chance to win prizes and earn recognition for the City.
Help Coquitlam Bloom – Yellow!
Hope Gardens are intended to foster hope and highlight the strength and resilience Canadians have demonstrated throughout the pandemic.
The campaign is a key feature of this year’s Coquitlam in Bloom program – a roster of community engagement and improvement activities the City plans each year through its participation in the national Communities in Bloom civic pride and beautification program.
While encouraging residents to create their own Hope Gardens, the City is planting its own yellow gardens with the help of staff and volunteers. Watch for Hope Gardens, marked with signs, popping up in locations throughout the community this spring and summer, including Town Centre Park and the Inspiration Garden, Poirier Library and the High Street pop-up park.
Residents who want to help plant the City’s Hope Gardens can learn how to become a Park Spark volunteer at www.coquitlam.ca/parkspark or contact parkspark@coquitlam.ca.
Other Activities in Store
This year’s Coquitlam in Bloom program will also focus on pollinators – bees, butterflies and other insects that help flowers and vegetables grow – and other activities designed to encourage residents to engage in their community and get outdoors.
Visit www.coquitlam.ca/cib to learn about Hope is Growing along with these other 2021 projects:
- Promote pollinators – Support and learn about the health and diversity of pollinators through activities such as pollinator-friendly flower and seed giveaways, pop-up selfie stations, park signs with fun facts, and a community fence-painting project to beautify local parks.
- Coquitlam Munch – Visit Austin Heights to enjoy and take home samples from the edible flower, herb and vegetable planters maintained by area businesses.
- Volunteer – Support local not-for-profit organizations that are struggling through the pandemic by volunteering your time and talents. Through its Community Support and Recovery Program, the City has set up a Community Volunteer Support Hub to connect volunteers with groups needing help. Learn more at www.coquitlam.ca/csrp.
- CoquitlamSPIRIT – Check out this free online library of ideas and resources at www.coquitlam.ca/spirit to stay active, healthy and connected. Click the Outdoors link for activities such as the Parks team’s new Marvelous Machines videos, Bloom of the Week (highlighting a different flower each week), information about local trails and fishing holes, garden mocktails and outdoor fitness videos, fun outdoor selfie ideas and more.
Coquitlam’s successful participation in Communities in Bloom over the years has led to awards at the provincial, national and international level in a friendly competition against similar-sized cities. In 2020, the City brought home the special achievement awards for Environmental Action and Youth Involvement (The Pollinator Project).
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. Learn more at www.communitiesinbloom.ca. Coquitlam’s participation is outlined at www.coquitlam.ca/cib.
Stay Informed
To keep up-to-date on program offerings and receive bi-weekly updates, subscribe to the PRC E-news Newsletter at www.coquitlam.ca/enews.
Stay informed about City news and service changes by:
Media contact:
Wendy Wiederick
Parks Operations Manager
City of Coquitlam
604-927-4386
prcs_info@coquitlam.ca