The Town of Prescott continues to score well in the Communities in Bloom competition.
This year was the first year Prescott competed at the national level. Katie Forrester is the Tourism and Recreation Coordinator for the town and says Prescott was invited to compete in the national level in 2016 but decided to stay at the provincial level. Forrester says the committee felt they weren’t ready to compete nationally in 2016 and wanted to wait and help improve on more things before advancing.
Prescott scored 84.23-percent at the national level, this year, which equals a five bloom score. Forrester notes that Prescott has never scored less than 70-percent when competing.
The community is judged based on tidiness, environmental action, heritage conservation, urban forestry, landscape and floral displays.
Forrester explains the benefits by competing in the program include: decreased vandalism, economic development, increased property value and, socially, an improved quality of life. The program also encourages innovation in environmental action. Forrester says traditionally the town has done really well for judging in floral displays and heritage conservation. Room for improvement would be environmental awareness and urban forestry.
Prescott was one of the finalists this year for a special recognition award in the national level for winter life.
Forrester says they are very thankful for everyone who has helped and they are looking to continue to grow the volunteer base. A certificate of achievement was presented to Mayor Brett Todd and Council at the Committee of the Whole meeting on Monday night.