Central Okanagan

Photo: Contributed

CIB awards with Urban Systems.

Lake Country’s strong agricultural industry helped the district win provincial beauty recognition Saturday.

Communities in Bloom—a program that fosters community pride, environmental responsibility, and beautification—awarded the District of Lake Country “four blooms” at the Communities in Bloom provincial awards, held in Kelowna Sept. 22.

Communities are rated from one to five blooms, five being the highest.

CIB gave Lake Country special mention for the concept and development of the Arboretum at Jack Seaton Park. Lake Country also scored highest in the Landscaped Areas category among all participating communities.

The district’s theme was “Engaged Community.”

“I'm very proud of the work that went into this year's Communities in Bloom submission,” said coun. Jamie McEwan, Communities in Bloom Committee chair.  “The collaboration of our hard-working community groups, alongside the Communities in Bloom Committee and staff, were the greatest contributing factors to Lake Country's success in this project.

“In achieving four blooms this year, not only did we make progress with respect to our overall rating, but we earned recognition for our arboretum project. This year's submission to Communities in Bloom, then, was not only a celebration of our past and current community successes but also a celebration of the strong vision that we have for its future.”

Lake Country’s Arboretum provides a rest area for the public and an “improved habitat for all manner of birds, animals, and insect life to flourish.”

Judges selected Jack Seaton Park based on its “unique setting” of wetlands and rocky hillsides.

“The extensive volunteer base in the district demonstrates most effectively how people from all walks of life are investing time and energy in making Lake Country one of the most desirable and diverse regions of BC,” noted judges Peter Crawshaw and Lynette Twigge. “Lake Country’s achievement in attaining four blooms this year is a testament to the dedication of so many people to present this community as a desirable place in which to live, work and play.”