COQUITLAM, B.C., June 8, 2022 – Expect to see more red and green around Coquitlam in the weeks ahead as the City kicks off its annual Coquitlam in Bloom program.
Developed by the Canadian Garden Council, the City is promoting the Year of the Garden – the 2022 theme for the national Communities in Bloom civic pride and enhancement program – with activities that encourage red-coloured plantings and inspire residents to garden, plant trees, support pollinators and engage in their community. The City participates each year through its homegrown Coquitlam in Bloom program, which has earned the community numerous provincial, national and international awards over the years.
Plant Red for the Year of the Garden
This year’s Plant Red campaign, in conjunction with Gardens Canada, encourages residents, organizations, businesses and communities to add red to their gardens, planters and boulevards to honour frontline workers, remember those lost during the pandemic, or celebrate their country.
Coquitlam is planting red in City gardens this year and inviting gardeners to visit the Plant Red webpage (under the Get Involved tab at www.gardenscanada.ca) for ways to participate and earn recognition for the community, such as:
- Sharing photos and stories on social media about their Plant Red Garden and tagging them with #CoquitlaminBloom, #PlantRed and #YearoftheGarden;
- Submitting a photo of their Plant Red Garden and identifying their community on the Plant Red webpage to receive a certificate of participation; and
- Downloading and printing a Plant Red Garden sign from the Plant Red webpage (under the Get involved tab at www.gardenscanada.ca) and posting in your garden.
Inspiration for Gardeners
Beautiful floral and plant displays can be found in many Coquitlam parks and civic spaces, thanks to the work of City gardeners, volunteers and organizations. Find inspiration at locations such as:
- Centennial Rose Garden, a world-class rose garden at 624 Poirier St., created and maintained by the Fraser Pacific Rose Society;
- The Inspiration Garden at the south end of Town Centre Park; and
- The Mackin Park display garden at the north end of the park.
As part of the Year of the Garden, Coquitlam is installing signs at City parks and gardens to educate and inspire gardeners. As well, the Park Spark park engagement program is conducting garden tours, volunteer planting sessions, pop-up events and other activities throughout the season at local parks. Go to www.coquitlam.ca/parkspark for information or contact parkspark@coquitlam.ca.
Help Plant 10,000 Trees
This year’s Coquitlam in Bloom program promotes Tree Spree, a new City tree-planting and public education program with a target of planting 10,000 trees—double Coquitlam’s typical annual target—on public and private property this year.
Tree Spree promotes the benefits of the tree canopy, including cleaning the air, producing oxygen, storing carbon, managing rainwater runoff, preventing erosion and flooding, reducing temperatures and supporting pollination.
Watch for tree spree fun facts this year on signs in City forests, as well as educational activities and tree giveaways through the City’s Block Parties program and other events. Activities will be posted at www.coquitlam.ca/treespree. For more information, email parkspark@coquitlam.ca.
Other Ways to Get Involved
Other opportunities to engage in Coquitlam in Bloom this year include:
- Supporting and learning about the health and diversity of pollinators through activities such as, pop-up selfie stations and park fun fact signs;
- Getting involved, sharing knowledge and learning new skills while enhancing Coquitlam’s parks as a Garden Volunteer; and
- Checking out the CoquitlamSPIRIT online library of resources at www.coquitlam.ca/spirit for ideas for staying active, healthy and engaged, with both virtual content and outdoor opportunities such as nature walks and hikes, crafts, Marvelous Machine videos, Bloom of the Week and Tree of the Month.
Coquitlam on Display in July
For the first time since 2019, Communities in Bloom judges will tour Coquitlam in July to evaluate the community on its gardens and other categories such as tidiness, environmental action, heritage conservation, urban forestry, landscape and floral displays. Coquitlam is entering the Grand Champions competition at the national level, a category where past winners of Population, International Challenge and Class of Champions compete amongst themselves.
Coquitlam will provide the judges with a Profile Book showcasing City activities since 2019 that will be posted at www.coquitlam.ca/cib by early July.
About Communities in Bloom
Communities in Bloom is a Canadian non-profit organization committed to fostering community pride, environmental responsibility and beautification. It uses friendly competition between communities to bring together local businesses, service clubs, residents and civic government to focus on enhancing their community. Coquitlam participates annually and has earned a number of awards at the provincial, national and international level. Learn more about the program at www.communitiesinbloom.ca. Coquitlam’s participation is outlined at www.coquitlam.ca/cib.
Media contact:
Kathleen Reinheimer
Manager Parks
604-927-3533
kreinheimer@coquitlam.ca