Carbonear garden gets special mention from Communities in Bloom judges

By Local Journalism Initiative Reporter Olivia Bradbury

The Town of Carbonear has once again received a special mention from Communities in Bloom.

Last year, Carbonear participated in the organization’s Atlantic Edition and at the 2025 awards ceremonies received a rating of five Blooms and a special mention for ‘Youth Involvement in Conserving Local History.’

This year, Carbonear competed in a bigger category, one that includes towns across Canada with populations of up to 10,000. The other finalists communities in the category were Devon, Alberta and Moosomin, Saskatchewan.

Communities in Bloom judges Christine Isaac and Karen Stephenson visited Carbonear from July 16-18 to conduct an evaluation of the town’s green spaces and beautification efforts.

At the national awards ceremonies in Montreal last month, Carbonear lost out to Devon but received a rating on three Blooms as well as a special mention for the St. Patrick’s Community Garden.

“St. Patrick’s Community Garden is much more than a place where community members can grow food,” wrote Isaac and Stephenson. “Active for over a decade, the garden has been well used by residents who also donate their harvest to the foodbank next door.”

The garden supports environmental action through composting and rainwater collection, the judges added. They also noted the garden hosts workshops, webinars, as well as programs and events such as the Children’s Carnival and Food Drive.

“With accessible beds and gardening activities for differently abled community members, the garden is truly a welcoming space that benefits the entire community,” wrote Isaac and Stephenson.