Third time’s a charm.
That’s what Jasper’s Communities in Bloom Committee is hoping as this year’s international judges roll into town on Saturday evening.
This is Jasper’s third time competing at the international level in the annual Communities in Bloom competition, after winning at the provincial and national levels in the past.
Although Jasper has received top marks in its category for the past two years, both years it has ultimately been beat out by other communities.
In 2014, Jasper came in behind Castlegar, B.C., which had the most points and won the top prize in the “small category.”
Jasper’s overall score was 835 out of a possible 1,000 points. The judges rate communities on six criteria: tidiness, environmental action, heritage conservation, urban forestry, landscape and floral displays, all while considering the community’s involvement within each category.
This year, Communities in Bloom is introducing a new ranking system, awarding bronze, silver and gold medals. A bronze medal will go to a community with an overall score between 84 and 86.9 per cent, while a community between 87 and 89.9 per cent will receive silver and those with 90 per cent or higher will receive gold.
“We definitely would like to boost our ratings, instead of just five blooms, which we usually get, we want to boost it and get at least a bronze,” said Communities in Bloom committee member Colleen Green.
Communities in Bloom is a Canadian non-profit organization committed to fostering civic pride, environmental responsibility and beautification through community involvement.
Jasper is competing against Ahoghill, Ireland; Estes Park, Colorado; Stettler, Alta.; and Trail, B.C.
This year’s judges—Ted Zarudny from Orangeville, Ont. and Lorna McIlroy from Grande Prairie, Alta.—will arrive Saturday, July 25 and take a tour of the community on Monday, July 27.
That tour includes stops at the Jasper-Yellowhead Museum and Archives, Alpine Summit Seniors Lodge, the community garden, the cemetery, the wastewater treatment plant, and numerous other locations throughout the town.
“There isn’t anything that the judges don’t see,” said Green, noting that includes alleyways and the industrial site.
Along the way, the judges will meet local characters who will share history and stories about the community. Ron Stanko will provide the history of the Mile Zero Rock, Greg Van Tighem will talk about his efforts to raise funds for the MS Society of Canada through his long distance bike rides, Parks Canada’s Rogier Gruys will talk about Jasper’s designation as a dark sky preserve, while Neil Prather acts as tour guide.
To help Jasper achieve a higher ranking, Green said community members can tidy up their yards and back alleys and lend an extra hand by tidying up the streets.
“And you can just wave at us as we go by,” she said with a laugh.
Winners of the national and international categories will be announced in Kamloops, B.C. during the National Symposium on Parks and Grounds from Sept. 30 to Oct. 3.
Nicole Veerman
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