Bay Roberts blossoms again in eyes of judges

By Olivia Bradbury / Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

The Town of Bay Roberts has been awarded five Blooms and a special mention from Communities in Bloom (CIB).
The non-profit organization, which sends judges across Canada to see which communities have the prettiest gardens and other public displays, announced the award winners recently at its National Symposium in Stratford, Ontario.
Bay Roberts got special mention in the category of Community Event Gathering Spaces.
While most Newfoundland and Labrador communities compete in the Atlantic Canada division, Bay Roberts graduated a couple of years ago to compete in the national division in the category of Small Towns.
“I have been an advocate of this program for over two decades and see the massive benefit to the program and the very useful feedback our community receives from the judging and webinars that are presented throughout the year,” said Ron Delaney, Bay Roberts’ director of tourism and economic development.
Delaney said Communities in Bloom is not just a competition but should be considered a municipality’s benchmark or template for making itself more environmentally responsible and attractive.
CIB volunteers with a background in horticulture and environmental fields travel to participating communities to evaluate the contributions of municipal councils and departments. Evaluations are made based on floral displays, landscaped areas, environmental initiatives, heritage conservation, and community tidiness. Delaney said the judges also provide helpful feedback on what a community is doing right as well as what more it can do.
It costs about $3,800 for a community to participate in Communities in Bloom. This includes the cost of registration, hosting the judges for two days, accommodations and meals. Delaney said the annual budget for the Town’s Department of Community Enhancement is approximately $40,000. It’s used for mowing green spaces throughout the town, floral displays, turf grass maintenance, litter and dog waste program, the upkeep of areas such as the Bay Roberts Community Garden, Shearstown Garden, Shearstown Estuary, Goose Pond Eco Trail, and other work.
“The goal isn’t just about flowers,” Delaney said of Communities in Bloom. “It’s about building civic pride, environmental sustainability, and community spirit. Many communities use it as a way to get residents, local groups, and businesses working together to make their town a better place to live.”