During the whirlwind tour of Brampton, CIB judges Ed Lawrence and Ken O'Brien rated our City based on its tidiness, environmental awareness, turf and groundcovers, natural and cultural heritage conservation, tree/urban forest management, floral displays, landscaped areas and community involvement. Communities in Bloom is a non-profit competition committed to fostering civic pride, environmental responsibility and beautification through community participation.

More than 50 of Brampton's community partners, businesses and organizations joined City staff during this two-day period to showcase programs and initiatives. The evaluation began with a helicopter ride over the City to highlight Brampton's tree canopy from ChinguacousyPark to EldoradoPark.

From the air, the City was able to demonstrate key City initiatives in support of the judging criteria such as: Brampton's reforestation program; major valley systems; and, Brampton's enormous watershed environment. The aerial tour highlighted key watershed locations like the Heart Lake Conservation Authority, Professor's Lake, Clairville Conservation Area, CreditRiver and WestHumberRiver.

"Viewing the City from above is the perfect way to see what distinguishes Brampton from other municipalities," said Regional Councillor Gael Miles, Chair of Communities in Bloom – Brampton. "Our mix of rural and urban diversity, managed growth through urban planning and a spectacular tree canopy that stretches across our City is a stunning view that can only be appreciated from above."

"The judges enjoyed seeing the City from east to west and north to south from this perspective," said Miles, adding that this was the objective of the helicopter ride."When the helicopter landed at EldoradoPark, the judges were enthusiastically greeted by more than 50 children enrolled in the City's summer camp program."

Judges also met with Brampton Veterans in GagePark, where they toured Brampton's historical downtown. Other tour highlights included: DonaldM.GordonChinguacousyPark, the Chinguacousy Garden Club, the Brampton Horticultural Society, the new RoseTheatre and more.

Additional highlights included a tour of Roberta Bondar School, the Korea Veterans National Wall of Remembrance, Historic Bovaird House, Tall Pines Long term Care Centre, MDA Robotics, Mandarin Restaurant Headquarters, Peel Village Golf Course and historic Gage Park.

More than 2,000 residents showed the judges their enthusiasm for our City on Aug. 10 during a Community Showcase in ChinguacousyPark, which included 16 tables of exhibits, games, children's activities and free hot dogs. Another 200 people wrapped up the evening with a Youth Showcase and a Taste of Carabram at Lionhead Golf & Country Club.

"Brampton is truly the FlowerCity," said Judge Ken O'Brien following the two-day tour.

Winners will be announced in Brandon, Man., on Sept. 23. For more information on Communities in Bloom and Brampton's entry in this year's competition please visit the Communities in Bloom Web Site at www.brampton.ca