The City of Barrie was recognized last night (Oct. 20) at the 30th anniversary of the Communities in Bloom (CiB) National and International Symposium and Awards Ceremonies in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island. Competing alongside municipalities from across Canada, Ireland, Italy, Hungary, and the United States, Barrie won in the International Challenge Large category, earning a 5 Blooms - Gold and a special mention for its Waterfront Strategic Plan. The City also received an Outstanding Achievement Award for the CNLA Green Cities Award.
These awards highlight Barrie’s ongoing efforts to create a greener, healthier, and more vibrant community. The Waterfront Strategic Plan was praised for its significant role in preserving and enhancing public spaces along Barrie’s shoreline. Over the summer, trained volunteer judges from CiB evaluated the contributions of the city’s municipal departments, local businesses, and volunteers based on key criteria: Community Appearance, Environmental Action, Heritage Conservation, Tree Management, and Landscape and Floral Displays.
"These achievements are a testament to the hard work of our city staff, community partners, and residents who have all contributed to making Barrie greener, healthier and more resilient," said Mayor Alex Nuttall. "These initiatives have been a cornerstone of Barrie's growth and development, and to see it recognized on an international stage is a great honour."
"I want to thank our amazing city staff for their unwavering commitment to improving our public spaces and environmental sustainability,” said Councillor Kungl, Chair of the Communities in Bloom Committee. “Behind every award like this are the dedicated individuals who bring these projects to life. On behalf of our Committee, I would like to extend a heartfelt thanks to judges, Dr. Andrea Bocsi and Alain Cappelle, and deep gratitude to everyone involved in making Barrie shine green.”
For a complete list of the results, please visit www.communitiesinbloom.ca and to learn more about Barrie’s participation, visit barrie.ca/CommunitiesInBloom.
