Cobourg Wins CIB Competition

The Town of Cobourg is the winner of the 15,001 - 50,000 population category for Communities in Bloom.  The Town received a 5 Blooms - Bronze rating and a special mention for Heritage Conservation during the 2017 National/International Symposium and Awards Ceremonies in Ottawa-Gatineau, National Capital Region. The community also received an Outstanding Achievement Award for the Butchart Gardens Land Reclamation Award. The Town of Cobourg competed against Amherstburg ON, Dorval QC, Leamington ON, Mission BC and Orangeville ON.
 
Over the summer, trained volunteer judges travelled to participating communities to evaluate the overall contributions of municipal council and departments; industry; businesses and the private sector – including volunteer efforts – in regards to the following criteria: Tidiness, Environmental Action, Heritage Conservation, Urban Forestry, Landscape and Floral Displays. 
 
Following their evaluation, volunteer judges Lorna McIlroy and Normand Fleury wrote: “The Town of Cobourg has plenty to celebrate with an outstanding harbor, sandy beach, waterfront promenade, brilliant floral displays that include a Floral Clock and majestic tree-lined streets.  Local groups focus on the preservation of Cobourg’s diverse natural heritage. One such group is the Cobourg Ecology Garden whose members increase awareness and share the need to protect and maintain green space and native species while beautifying the community.  However, for Canada’s sesquicentennial, Cobourg is particularly celebrating the heritage of its historic buildings and the owners who have authentically restored them with special signage to designate those that have existed for 150 years or more.  Cobourg has four heritage districts, representing over 584 properties with 217 more having potential value.  Their Heritage Master Plan guides conservation.  A choice of self-guided walking tours provides a sampling of local history and heritage styles. Unquestionably, Cobourg, Ontario’s ‘Feel Good Town’, feels good about itself!”