Communities in Bloom is a Canadian non-profit organization committed to fostering civic pride, environmental responsibility and beautification through community involvement and an annual national program that challenges communities to enhance green spaces.
The Communities in Bloom competition consists of municipalities being evaluated on the accomplishments of their whole community (municipal, corporate and individual citizens) any of the following criteria:
- Community Appearance
- Environmental Action
- Heritage Conservation
- Tree Management
- Landscape
- Plant and Floral Display
All residents, community groups and interested partners are encouraged to participate. Projects can be any size, no project is too small. Let’s show our community pride and keep Barrie blooming!
2025 Campaign
The theme for 2025 is edible gardens! Residents, youth (aged 6 to 12), businesses and community/school groups can participate in the following ways:
- plant container projects, flowers or vegetable gardens, fruit trees or plants
- create outdoor art projects that beautify our community
- tidy up local landscapes and boulevards
To participate in this year's campaign, please submit a registration form and photo of your project by June 20, 2025. Gardens and beautification efforts will be highlighted on this webpage and the City social media channels. Ways to register:
- Submit an online participation form and photo
- Submit a registration form and photo by mail (mailing details included in the form)
Judges' Tour
The National Communities in Bloom judges will tour Barrie in July 2025 to evaluate the accomplishments of the whole community (municipal, corporate, organizations and individual citizens) on the following criteria: landscaped areas; floral arrangements; tidiness effort; urban forestry development; environmental effort; and heritage conservation.
Did you know? In 2024, the City of Barrie was recognized at the 30th anniversary of the Communities in Bloom National & International Awards Ceremonies in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island.
Barrie won in the International Challenge Large category, earning a 5 Blooms – Gold and a special mention for the Waterfront Strategic Plan. The City also received an Outstanding Achievement Award for the Canadian Nursery Landscape Association Green Cities Award. See the full Communities in Bloom awards results.
Communities in Bloom Advisory Committee
The Communities in Bloom Advisory Committee helps facilitate the development of Barrie, in the Communities in Bloom National Municipal Beautification contest, with a focus on flowers, landscaping, gardens, beautification and environmental awareness.
What You Can Do
Barrie residents, businesses and organizations can participate in Communities in Bloom each year by preparing for the Judges' Tour:
