聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 Within about three weeks a form officially entering Kamsack into the 2017 Communities in Bloom competition will have been submitted, obligating residents to once again do what they can to impress themselves and visitors about the physical appearance of the community.
聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 鈥淲e earned a high score of four blooms last year,鈥� Kev Sumner, Kamsack鈥檚 recreation director, said last week. He, along with an organizing committee, had spearheaded a co-ordinated effort to present the community in its best light to the judges.
聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 鈥淲e鈥檙e looking for another committee this year,鈥� he said, remembering that it was members of the horticulture society and Trackside Garden volunteers who had been instrumental in holding a reception for the two judges last year.
聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 The Communities in Bloom (CiB) program is a wonderful way to shine a positive light on Kamsack, Sumner said. 鈥淚t is a way of saying that we鈥檙e proud of what we have, that we can identify with our community and that we encourage volunteerism.鈥�
聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 A total of 43 communities participated in the Communities in Bloom program last year, 聽he said, adding that 小蓝视频 recognized by the program is significant at the SUMA (Saskatchewan Urban Municipalities Association) and SPRA (Saskatchewan Parks and Recreation Association) levels.
聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 For the competition, communities are judged in six sections: tidiness, environmental action, heritage conservation, urban forestry, landscape and floral displays. Last year Kamsack received 744 points out of 1,000, or a mark of 75 per cent, which garnered the four blooms.
聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 In the evaluation report, the judges said that the landscape and environmental actions carried out by the community were particularly well done.
聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 鈥淭here were two areas we felt were outstanding,鈥� the report states. 鈥淭he first was the unusual free joint use agreements with the school division (use of school facilities and the rink) and the health region (Family Resource Centre). The other area was your ongoing work to increase the inclusivity of the school playground for wheelchairs, the increasing number of sidewalk ramps for walkers and strollers and the grinding down of heaved sidewalk sections.
鈥淓nhancing the quality of life for all ages in a community is an on-going, and sometimes, difficult struggle.鈥�
The judges said they had appreciated the flight over the community and said that although the impetus of competing鈥ame from the town office, the inclusion of volunteers and 鈥榗ivilians鈥� on the planning committee cannot be over stressed.
鈥淭he most successful CiB communities are the result of a close working relationship between the town and the volunteers.鈥�
Tidiness
In the 鈥渢idiness鈥� section, the judges said that the mowing crew had worked overtime to keep all the parks and green spaces mowed and looking great.
鈥淭he removal of burdock by hand in Broda Park indicates a commitment to a tidy community. Well done!
鈥淓ach park is inspected monthly and has a dog station to encourage pet owners to maintain tidiness,鈥� it said. 鈥淵ou dared to mow along the CN tracks. The difference in appearance is incredible.
鈥淲e were impressed with the simplicity of the 鈥渃itizen mow an empty lot鈥� plan. Anyone with a riding mower is welcome to mow spare lots and receive a small reimbursement at the end of the summer. The plan reduces the amount of mowing for the town crew and helps out with the overall tidiness of Kamsack.
鈥淚n one community, we came across a 50/50 cost sharing program between property owners and the town for installing new sidewalks across the owner鈥檚 property. This could be an idea worth investigating as a cost effective way to replace sidewalks downtown and in residential areas,鈥� it said. 鈥淎lways check the back lanes before judging, as one or two weedy ones can be distracting from the overall impression.
鈥淭he basic recommendation is to just keep up the good work.鈥�
Environmental action
The judges observations in the environmental action section commended the fact that the rink has geothermal heating, spray foam insulation, low sodium lights and its own recycling containers and mentioned that composting material is picked up by the town.
鈥淐rowstand Centre is an excellent recycling of the old hospital,鈥� it says. 鈥淭he site of the old refinery has been greened.
In its recommendations, the report says that water is a finite resource and needs to have regulations protecting the source.
鈥淵ou did not mention what the schools are doing to recycle,鈥� it said. 鈥淐ontinue changing public places to more efficient lighting systems and finding ways to even further increase the lifespan of your landfill.鈥�
Heritage conservation
In the heritage conservation section, the report said that the circular water tower certainly is a landmark to cherish.
鈥淭he Cenotaph Park is truly honouring the veterans of Kamsack and area. The two cenotaphs, the stone commemorating the HSMS Kamsack, the flag, the fountain and the flowers have created a garden of great beauty.
鈥淜amsack proudly displays two cabooses; one at Trackside Gardens and the other at the museum,鈥� it says. 鈥淐ongratulate all the volunteers working at the gardens, museum, cemetery and everywhere in Kamsack. Please thank them for their work in keeping the history of Kamsack alive for all generations.
鈥淎ll the churches in the community are in reasonable condition and have neat and tidy yards.鈥�
Regarding recommendations, the report asks if there has ever been a history project done with seniors recording their stories about events and locations in Kamsack?
鈥淣ot only the memories of seniors, but also the stories told by long-term employees and owners of businesses in the community should be remembered.
鈥淎 project often undertaken by a CiB group is creating an historical walk through the downtown, with written history of each building and locations of importance in the community. Eventually plaques could be placed on each building describing the business history of the location.鈥�
Urban forestry
In the urban forestry section, the report says that in Kamsack, overall, the urban forest appears to be in good shape.
鈥淭he community orchard is doing well and is harvested by fruit lovers,鈥� it says. 鈥淵ou have taken advantage of TD Green Street Tree Planting along the train tracks and around the ball diamonds.鈥�
But, 鈥渁 large portion of your urban forest is the same age, with a reliance on American elm,鈥� it says. 鈥淩emain vigilant for diseases and dead limbs.
鈥淎 program of proactive pruning should become a priority, with removal of dead trees done at the same time. Encourage your staff to take a pruning course when offered by SPRA.
鈥淵ou should also commit your policies on removal and replacement of trees, both on town property and on private property, on paper. Developing a list of appropriate tree species for homeowners is useful when renovating or developing new yard landscapes.鈥�
Landscape
In the landscape section, the report says that Kamsack has many green spaces tucked in everywhere 鈥� some with playground equipment and some with just a bench on which to sit and enjoy the scene.
鈥淭he sportsground looked to be in good shape, as did the school grounds. The community garden at the elementary school was quite impressive and would serve as an example to other groups and communities looking to establish a raised bed garden.
鈥淭he Trackside Gardens are well planted and maintained and are so showy along the street. The huge baskets at each entrance into town are a trademark of Kamsack.
鈥淭he Skate Park is 小蓝视频 upgraded slowly, but surely, to increase its safety for young people, and the integrated health building area is a great concept.
鈥淭he CiB community bulletin board serves several purposes 鈥� to advertise your bloom number, a place to staple notices and advertising, and a prominent spot to list your citizens of the years.
鈥淏roda Park is a very pleasant area where the community can gather and celebrate public and private events and celebrations. The town crews are doing an excellent job of maintenance.鈥�
The report recommends that the community keeps working on the walking trail as it will have a most interesting path through the community.
鈥淲e鈥檙e sure landscaping around the new health clinic is next. Is there some way to unify the landscape between the clinic, hospital and the senior care home? Planting similar shrubs, using the same colour flowers or, perhaps, paving stones could be used to tie the areas visually together.
鈥淐reating a pocket park downtown in an empty lot appeals to many CiB groups. The park can be planted with a tree, and flowering shrubs for minimal maintenance, with benches and chairs to encourage people to linger and shop on the street.鈥�
Floral displays
The report concludes with the floral displays section and says that the Trackside Garden merits a mention in several places as it is a well-maintained public space with wide paths and many kinds of blooms, and the downtown has hanging baskets and planters.鈥�
The report recommends that in the floral displays category 鈥渕ore and bigger is always better.
鈥淜eep those huge baskets growing, as they are a unique representation of Kamsack,鈥� it says. 鈥淐ould one be included near the health centre and at the sportsground?
鈥淲ithin the context of climate change and environmental concerns, communities involved in the Communities in Bloom program can be proud of their efforts, which provide real and meaningful environmental solutions and benefit all of society,鈥� the report says. Communities in Bloom is made possible by the commitment of local, provincial and national volunteers; the support of elected officials and of staff in municipalities; the dedication of the judges, staff and organizations, and the contributions of its sponsors and partners.鈥�
