Communities in Bloom | Brandon, Manitoba Canada
People, Plants and Pride… Growing together

What is Communities in Bloom?

Communities in Bloom is a Canadian organization committed to fostering civic pride, environmental responsibility and beautification through community participation and the challenge of national competition.

Since 1995 the program has grown to include over 100 competitors. It promotes community action and involvement in improving the tidiness, appearance and visual appeal of Canada's neighborhoods, parks, open spaces and streets throughout the imaginative use of flowers, plants and tress and through environment awareness.

Benefits of participation

Brandon's Communities in Bloom Committee would like to invite everyone to participate!

Communities in Bloom Projects, Programs & Partnerships

1. Project Learning Tree Program - open to children 6 to 12 years old this day program is held at Curran Park Campground. Children explore and learn the importance of forests and what they can do to protect them. Children are treated to a 'Smokey the Bear' video and a visit from a special friend. Partners in this program: Manitoba forestry Association and Community Parks & Recreation. To find out more about this program please call: 729-2276

2. Goldie Locks and Sherlock Bones Program - Open to children 6 to 12 years, this full day program is held at Curran Park. Bear safety and "What to do when encountering a bear" plus bone identification and prey/predator relationships are the basis of the program. Partners in this program: Riding Mountain National Parks and Community Parks & Recreation. To find out more about this program please call: 729-2276

3. Music in the Parks Program: Scheduled music performances every Tuesday and Thursday night. Schedules available at City Hall or by calling 729-2276

Partners in this program: CKLQ 880 Radio, Star 94.7 CKLF-FM Radio, Community Parks & Recreation, Vern's appliances, TT Enterprises, Zenith Paving, Nickel Electric, Cando Contracting, Woody's Wash, Pizza Hut, Look Out Security, Pepsi Cola, Total Eye Care and Simplot Canada.

4. Schools in Bloom Program - Brandon's Schools participate in schoolyard clean up, Green thumb program, and the Easter display at City Hall.

Partners in this program: Brandon School Division, community Parks & Recreation. To find out more about this program please call: 729-2276

5. Park Bench Program - started in 1999 as part of the beautification program. These custom built benches have been installed throughout the parks and walking trails within Brandon. A bench may be purchased at a cost of $1,000.00.

Partners in this program: Communities in Bloom Program, Barkman Concrete, Western Concrete, Westman Granite and Community Parks & Recreation. To find out more about this program please call: 729-2172

6. Canada Day Celebrations - Brandon's Canada Day Celebrations are held June 30th and July 1st. June 30th/00 Princess Park -Activities for children are held throughout the day. July 1st/00 Curran Park- Ball Tournament, Free Swimming & Mini Golf (1-4pm) Fireworks at dusk. Partners in this program: culture, Heritage & Tourism, Canadian Heritage, Big Bang fireworks, Brandon community Police Services, Sweet Temptations, HRDC, Friendship Center, McDonalds, Agora food, Flying Club of Brandon, Downtown BIA, community Parks & Recreation. To find out more about this program please call: 729-2276/ BIA 729-2490 or Toll Free (204) 729-2493.

7. Tulips from Holland - Over 1000 tulips were donated to Brandon from the government of Holland. These red and white tulips can be seen throughout the city.

Partners in this program: Neelin High School, Mayor's office, Royal Canadian Legion, Brandon Garden Club, Brandon Junior Gardeners, Army Cadets, Community Parks & Recreation.

8. Greening Our City Program: A litter pick up campaign that runs the month of July. Blue Garbage bags have become the symbol for this event. These bags will be distributed a numerous events throughout the months of June and July. Look for these bags and help keep Brandon clean! Partners in this program: Sullivan Sanitation supplies, BFI Waste Services, Communities in Bloom Committee, and Parks & Recreation. To find out more about this program please call: 729-2276

9. "Scoop It" Program: This educational campaign and enforcement program deals with removal of dog & cat waste, as well as licensing of pets. Look for bag dispensers along city walkways to pick up your pet's waste.

Partners in this program: Brandon Hills Veterinary Clinic, Brandon Community Police Services and Communities in Bloom. To find out more about this program please call: 729-2345

10. Eleanor Kidd Park Botanical Gardens - Well underway with completion expected fall of 2000. This major landscaping initiative will include a spectacular display of florals and native plants. Partners in this program: Westbran Human Resource, Landscape Design Professional, Construction Companies, Brandon Riverbank Inc., and Parks & Recreation. To find out more about this program please call: 729-2172

11. Pesticide Control & Mosquito Abatement: This program explores the uses of baits to control the mosquito population. This enviromentally friendly program has already helped reduce the amount of pesticides applied in Brandon's Campground.

Partners in this program: Brandon University Zoology Department, City of Brandon, and Parks & Recreation. To find out more about this program please call: 727-9623

12. City Hall Beautification - The main entrance of City Hall has had a major facelift. Thanks to the City of Brandon, City Engineering, and the Parks & Recreation for such a breath taking landscape. The entrance now offers the following features: Wheelchair accessibility improved lighting, a water feature, floral displays and more magnificent trees.

13. Floral Hanging Basket Program - The two key partners in this program, the Downtown BIA and Parks & Recreation have put out over 300 flower baskets onto the nostalgia lights, shops and literally everywhere possible in Downtown Brandon. To find out more about this program please call: Downtown BIA 729-2490 or Toll Free (204) 729-2493.

14. Beautiful Boulevards Program: As part of the City of Brandon's beautification program, over 30 boulevards are planted throughout the city. This program started with only the major entrances into the city, but with such an overwhelming response from the public, this program has grown to include over 30 boulevards throughout the city.

Partnerships: McKenzie Seeds, Community Parks & Recreation, Manitoba Highways dept. To find out more about this program please call: 729-2172

15. Trees & Turf Program: The Parks sections of Parks & Recreation will be planting over 500 trees during the summer. Varieties include Fall Gold Ash, Mancan Ash, Patmore Ash, Manitoba Maple, American Basswood, Dropmore Linden, Shubert Chokecherry, and Amur Cherry. To find out more about this program please call: 729-2257

16. Rock Garden (Corner of 18th Street and Richmond) - This initiative saw the partnership of the Brandon Gardening Club, Manitoba Hydro Forest enhancement and the City of Brandon Parks & Recreation.

This once drab corner now presents a beautifully unique focal point at one of the busiest intersections within Brandon.

17. Seasonal displays: each season sees City Hall's main foyer come alive with an array of seasonal flowers. Treat your eyes to a festival of color throughout the year with special holiday displays during Christmas and Easter.

18. Public Parks and Play areas - The City of Brandon Community Parks & Recreation maintains public parks and green space located throughout the city. Just to mention a few, Queen Elizabeth Park, Stanley Park and Princess Park. Over 60,000 bedding plants are planted throughout Brandon every spring.

Partners in this program: McKenzie Seeds and Parks & Recreation.

19. Keystone Centre Agricultural Facility: A working partnership exists between the keystone Center Agricultural Facility and the City of Brandon. Each year Community Parks & Recreation develops an annual floral display to enhance this Brandon landmark.

20. Bloom Banner Program: The Downtown BIA and Communities In Bloom Committee have designed and installed beautifully bright "Communities In Bloom" welcome banners throughout the City bursting with colour in key traffic locations and enhancing the floral displays in Princess Park.

21. Open Garden Tour: Register your garden for the "Open Garden Tour". Registration forms available at The Green Spot, Patmore's Nursery & City hall. Deadline for registration is June 26th, 2000. To find out more about this program please call: Pat Zmetana at 726-5351.

Calendar of Events for Communities in Bloom

Canada Day Celebrations
June 31/2000 & July 1/2000
Greening our City Campaign
July 1st to 30th
Garden Tours
July 15th, 16th, & 17th
Communities in Bloom Judging
August 3rd, 4th & 5th

Questions?
You can email us at city.clerks@city.brandon.mb.ca
You can phone us at 729-2186 or 729-2257

Communities in Bloom
C/O City of Brandon Parks and Recreation
410 9th Street
Brandon, Manitoba
R7A 6A2