- 0
Public Advisories
New Glasgow’s citizens, business community and leaders are proud of their town’s organizations, green spaces and parks, historic landmarks and environmental stewardship. Communities in Bloom present an excellent template for municipal improvements. The program are based on eight criteria of community involvement including tidiness, environmental sustainability and urban forestry, heritage conservation, landscape, turf management and floral displays. All aspects of the community registered are evaluated by provincial and national judges.
In 2003, the Town Council registered with Communities in Bloom and since won provincial and national awards. In 2004, New Glasgow received an impressive four blooms provincially and a five-bloom rating in 2005 and 2006 with top ratings in its population category in Nova Scotia. In 2007, the Town entered the national competition and in that year received an impressive four blooms. In 2008, New Glasgow received five blooms in the national competition, and placed first runner up across all population categories for Environmental Awareness, a great achievement for the town.
In 2009, the town entered for the third year in the national competition achieving five blooms in its sixth consecutive year in the Communities in Bloom program. Throughout its participation in the program, New Glasgow is noted for its environmental stewardship, tidiness, revitalization of the riverfront, community involvement and public space making strategies.
“The Communities in Bloom in New Glasgow continues to be recognized for the tremendous efforts made by the many volunteers, businesses, service clubs, elected officials and municipal staff who have partnered with the Communities in Bloom committee, “ states Lesley Sobey, Co-Chair of the Communities in Bloom Committee.
The highlight for town residents, staff and council came in 2010 when the town received the national outstanding achievement award in the criteria category of "Community of Gardeners" at the National Communities in Bloom Awards Ceremony held in October in Halifax, Nova Scotia. This special criteria award is given for outstanding achievement in both private and public green spaces and recognizes commitment to greening and beautification as well as community spirit. The other two national finalists in the Community of Gardeners Award were Goderich, Ontario and Winkler, Manitoba.
In the 7,501-10,000 community population categories, New Glasgow also received its third five bloom national rating out off 100 communities with a score of 87.8. Community involvement was judged in all categories and special mention was given to New Glasgow for community involvement in tidiness and for the impact of the County wide initiative, Go Clean Get Green Community Litter Clean Up.
“To be recognized among so many outstanding towns in the Community of Gardeners Criteria category is a celebration of great teamwork by our community and our municipality. For New Glasgow to be singled out is indeed special, not every day does this kind of national acknowledgment come to small town Nova Scotia. ” says Mayor Barrie MacMillan.
Kim Dickson, Co-Chair of New Glasgow Communities in Bloom says, “The “Community of Gardeners National Award” is one that New Glasgow and its CIB Committee felt especially honoured and excited to receive as it pays tribute to the efforts of the community as whole. Beautification is an important part in building civic pride and fostering environmental stewardship,” she says.
The Town of New Glasgow Town Council thanks the great support from the volunteer-based New Glasgow Communities in Bloom Committee, community groups, businesses and citizens. Council also thanks the contribution and work of the Engineering and Public Works Department and the Marketing & Communications Department who include Communities in Bloom program in their annual planning and projects.
“Communities receive many benefits of the CIB goals including of strengthening community pride, increased economic development and tourism, reduction in vandalism and decreased crime rates and renewed civic pride,” states Mayor MacMillan. “It is an honour as mayor to accept this award on behalf of our community, the Communities in Bloom Committee and Town Council.”
Lillian's Day Lily (pictured right) is New Glasgow's Signature Flower.