The Town of St. Paul has won the “Nation Population” category at the national level for Communities in Bloom.
Communities in Bloom describes itself as a non-profit organization “that uses a competitive evaluation process to foster community strength, involvement, and continuous improvement.” Trained volunteer judges tour participating communities to assess their efforts regarding environmental sustainability, enhancements of green spaces, and heritage conservation “in cultural and natural environments encompassing municipal, residential, commercial, and institutional spaces,” their mission statement reads.
St. Paul received a rating of “5 Blooms – Silver” and a special mention for its public art program at the Communities In Bloom awards ceremony in Charlottetown, PEI earlier this month. The other finalists in this category were Capreol, Ontario; North Bay, Ontario; and Devon, Alberta.
Judges Colleen Stockford and Christine Isaac described St. Paul as “a vibrant community that excels in education, entrepreneurship, and inclusiveness.” They observed how the 1967 Landing Pad project
reflects the town’s commitment to inclusivity, and remarked that they heard the phrase “everyone belongs in St Paul” throughout their visit.
During their late July visit, Stockford and Isaac noted the attention the community gives to public art.
“The St. Paul public art program, managed by Champions for Change, receives annual financial support from the Town of St. Paul. The art pieces highlight the town’s history and culture, with a focus on reconciliation and Indigenous education,” they said. “An art walk has been established for the public to explore these pieces and gain insight into the significance and meaning behind each work.”
Artist Herman Poulin met the judges on their visit, and his enthusiasm made an impression.
“His passion for his community is evident in the meaningful pieces of art he creates, and his humility about his work only adds to his appeal,” they wrote in their report. “The judges were captivated by Herman’s enthusiasm and the impact of his art on the community.”
Champions For Change chair Penny Fox said each assessment category is evaluated with observations of the current state and recommendations for improvement.
“We really take their recommendations to heart,” Fox said. “I think the judges can see year after year that we are committed not only to our competitive standing, but to genuine improvement in the community.”
