People, plants and pride...  growing together!

Purpose of Communities in Bloom

Strathcona County endeavours to beautify the community through the efforts of County staff, Strathcona in Bloom volunteers, businesses and by encouraging the efforts of private home owners.

At the Communities in Bloom National Symposium on Parks & Grounds and the National & International Awards ceremonies in 2016, Strathcona County was honoured to receive a five-bloom (highest score) silver rating in the Circle of Excellence category. A special mention of Prairie Walk, located in the Centre in the Park, was noted. Strathcona County has continued their five-bloom, silver rating with the contributions of volunteers and the community. 

Help make your community bloom - become a volunteer with Strathcona in Bloom.

• Help plant and maintain a community flower bed 
• Plant your own yard and watch our community bloom
• Compost and recycle
• Plant trees
• Get involved in the Strathcona in Bloom executive
• Nominate a neighbour in the Front Yard Recognition

Examples of local projects that Communities in Bloom evaluates communities on:

Tidiness

• Pitch-in
• Road-side clean up
• Parks maintenance
• Graffiti removal

The environmental actions in our community

• Organic pick-up (Green Routine)
• Recycling and Christmas tree pick-up (Green Routine)
• Curb side clear bag composting (Green Routine)
• Large item pick-up twice a year at curbside
• Broadview Enviroservice Station
• Naturalization of parks
• Drought-tolerant plants
• Reduced fertilizer and chemical use
• Integrated pest management program

Community efforts to maintain and preserve the legacies of yesterday

• Strathcona County Museum and Archives
• Sherwood Park natural area stewards
• Smeltzer House historic site preservation
• The Heritage Mile project
• A. J. Ottewell Community Centre preservation

Urban forestry (the management, planting and maintenance of tree and tree stands)

• Dutch Elm disease monitoring program
• Naturalization of park areas
• Tree seedlings planted by community groups and businesses
• Inventory and replacement schedule

Landscaped areas (the management, planting and maintenance of green spaces)

• Broadmoor Lake Park hosts major events
• Smeltzer House is a historic site and botanical garden
• over 60 km of heritage parkway trails

Turf areas (the management, planting and maintenance of turf areas)

• sports fields and high profile areas fertilized for stronger turf
• variety of ground cover, grasses and perennials

Floral displays (the management, planting and maintenance of planting beds and planters)

• garden beds and planters
• over 15,000 flowers annually planted in beds and planters by Strathcona in Bloom volunteers and staff
• Nominate your neighbour Front Yard Recognition
• floral beautification of public spaces

Community involvement (non-profit groups, businesses and citizens involved in the Communities in Bloom program)

• volunteers plant flowerbeds
• schools and youth groups planting
• Arbor Day and the annual Pitch-in campaign
• business sponsorship

Collection and use of personal information

Personal information is collected under the authority of section 33(c) of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act and will be used to manage and administer Strathcona County's eNewsletters.  If you have questions regarding the collection, use or disclosure of this information contact Strathcona County's Communications director at 780-410-6595.