Carbonear councillors turn their mind to spring projects

By Olivia Bradbury, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

While spring may not yet be fully sprung, Carbonear councillors and staff are making plans to spruce up the town this summer.

Councillor Wendy Penney outlined some of the plans during her recreation committee report to council March 26.

Penney said Communities in Bloom, a non-profit organization that promotes friendly competition between communities to beautify their towns with flowers and landscaping projects, will be running again this summer. Carbonear has performed well in the program in the past; last year, it received a rating of five Blooms, and a special mention for Youth Involvement in Conserving Local History.

Penney said Scouts Canada has also come forward to partner with the Town on the Miracle-Gro Best Garden Selection Program. The program is presented by Scouts Canada in partnership with Communities in Bloom. Twelve winners will be awarded garden signs and gift packages of Miracle-Gro products.

“Our special events committee usually has a garden contest over the summer,” said Penney, “so they’ll provide the plan for that, and we’ll be able to award 12 beautiful gardens.”

Finally, Penney told council that NL Health Services, specifically Mental Health and Addiction Services, has inquired about getting space in Carbonear’s community garden.

“Staff have offered space and will work with that group,” Penney said, “which is very important in today’s society to provide any type of space that we can to alleviate some of the strain and stress with mental health and addictions.”

Later in the meeting, during his own report, Director of Recreation Rob Button was given approval to proceed with a limited call for suppliers of flowers for the Town’s parks and green spaces this spring.