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Communities in Bloom has awarded Portage la Prairie a five-bloom rating—the highest possible—for the second year in a row.
City Councillor Terrie Porter attended the gathering of judges around late July and early August and was present at the Communities in Bloom conference a few weeks ago.
“Councillor Joe Masi and I were in attendance, and we received the five blooms. We got it last year, too, believe it or not. It’s more than just planting plants and flowers. It’s the environment, the Heritage Park, and a bigger picture of what your community looks like as part of Communities in Bloom,” Porter said. “Looking back, we started off with two or three blooms and recognition for different aspects, but it’s only in the last two years—last year and this year—that we’ve received five.”
She explained that the judges drive all around Portage, evaluating the recycling program, streets, and types of trees being planted. While flowers and visible enhancements are considered, they also assess cleanliness and the presence of a graffiti removal program.
“The judges really take a whole day. They’re not from here. We were in the midst of the Saskatchewan Avenue project, too, and it’s more than just a pretty avenue,” Porter said. “There’s a purpose to it with the bioswales, different kinds of plants, pollution control, and native grasses in the ditches. It’s environmental, addressing pollution control and cleanup. They probably didn’t realize that until they saw it.”