With an overall score of 87.5/100, Capreol was again awarded a Five Blooms Silver Rating in the 2023 Communities in Bloom competition.
The community has earned the coveted Five Blooms in 2019, 2020 and 2022 as well.
“We are incredibly pleased with the results of this year’s showcase,” shared Capreol Communities in Bloom lead Cody Cacciotti. “There are a number of great initiatives taking place throughout the community and it is great to see volunteer efforts being recognized.”
On Nov. 9, the results were unveiled to staff and volunteers from the City of Greater Sudbury’s Parks Department and the Northern Ontario Railroad Museum and Heritage Centre.
Over the summer, Communities In Bloom judges visit cities and towns across Ontario and rate them on a variety of beautification metrics, including tidiness, environmental action, heritage conservation, urban forestry, landscape and floral displays.
While proud of its Five Bloom rating, the beautification staff and volunteers were also proud to be lauded for heritage preservation, scoring 147 out of a possible 150 points in that category.
“The school car, located in Prescott Park at the museum was also of special interest to the judges as it is ‘truly a step back in time and full of authentic information about education, what it looked like, and how it was achieved in remote northern Ontario regions’,” states a news release from the Railroad Museum.
“There is no doubt that the work being done at the Northern Ontario Railroad Museum and Heritage Centre is contributing to that score but other projects such as sign toppers, banners, public art installations, murals and heritage themed infrastructure along the river add to a growing collective identity that celebrates the history of the town,” Cacciotti said.
Other community highlights noted by the judges included the ongoing efforts at the Capreol Peace Park, the regreening of CR Judd Public School’s school yard, the work of the Capreol Beautification Initiative and the ongoing planting and trail management by the Capreol Cross Country Ski Club.
Looking ahead to 2024, Communities in Bloom Ontario is recommending that the Town of Capreol graduate to the National Showcase as a result of its success at the provincial level.
“This is undoubtedly a big step for this little town,” Cacciotti said. “Participating in nationals will have us competing directly against other communities of equal size, which will be a new challenge, but it will allow us to promote our town and our organizations to a much wider audience.”
Volunteers looking to get involved can contact the Northern Ontario Railroad Museum and Heritage Centre at [email protected] or by calling 705-858-5050 for more information.
