Coquitlam parks will be bursting with colour and fun this summer as the city tries for a provincial honour.
In late July or early August, judges will tour the city as part of the annual Communities in Bloom contest.
And a task force working on the city's entry since last fall has a number of activities planned for their visit.
A sandy beach will roll out at Blue Mountain Park for six weeks, starting in mid-July, while three parks Mackin, Victoria and Como Lake will get makeovers with plants, banners and art.
As well, a community garden will be started at Eagle Ridge Park, between Scott Creek middle school and Eagle Ridge elementary. The garden, to built with a $15,000 grant courtesy of ScottsMiracle-Gro Showcase Garden Program, will act as a secondary campus to the Inspiration Garden at Town Centre Park and offer programs for the public.
Residents will also be encouraged to snap a photo of themselves in parks for the Coquitlam Selfie Project. Prizes will be handed out for the best photos and some will go into the contest entry.
Parks manager Kathy Reinheimer, who has been a Communities in Bloom judge, said the contest can act as an economic development and tourism booster as municipalities dress up and take pride in their parks with the help of residents, businesses and groups.
"This is about a community re-imagining itself. In some communities, it's been truly transformative," she told council-in-committee Monday.
Coquitlam, which is in the 100,000-and-up population category, won provincial and national Communities in Bloom awards between 1998 and 2001.
Municipalities are assessed in six areas tidiness, environmental action, heritage conservation, urban forestry, landscape and floral displays and must obtain a grade of 85% to qualify for next year's national contest.
The provincial winners will be named this fall.
@jwarrenTC
