OTTAWA, GATINEAU (WHTC-AM/FM) – The City of Holland took home an award in Canada at the Communities in Bloom National and International competition.
The City of Holland is the winner of the International Challenge (Large) category and also received a 5 Blooms – Silver rating and a special mention for Six Miles of Tulip Lanes. The City of Holland competed against Bruges Belgium, Coquitlam, BC Canada and Wood Buffalo, AB Canada.
Saturday evening Holland Mayor Nancy DeBoer accepted the award and thanked the committee for coming to the City of Holland.
“This is just amazing. There are so many people who worked so hard for this. Hope College, Holland Board of Public Works, The Holand Area Visitors Bureau and so many different organizations and non-profits like The Garden Club and Horticulture Club of Holland. They spent six years learning with American in Bloom and then to come here and be able to be recognized at this level is just so overwhelming. We are so grateful for being able to participate and for all that we can learn and are still learning from all of you. Thank you so very much”
Over the summer, trained volunteer judges travelled to participating communities to evaluate the overall contributions of municipal council and departments; industry; businesses and the private sector – including volunteer efforts – in regards to the following criteria: Tidiness, Environmental Action, Heritage Conservation, Urban Forestry, Landscape and Floral Displays.
Following their evaluation, volunteer judges Bob Ivison and Bob Lewis wrote: “Holland is a picturesque city near the eastern shore of Lake Michigan on Lake Macatawa with an overall population of 113,100.”
Communities in Bloom is a Canadian non-profit organization committed to fostering civic pride, environmental responsibility and beautification through community involvement and the challenge of a national program, with focus on the enhancement of green spaces. The pride, sense of community and feeling of accomplishment generated through participation are visible in communities across Canada. Watch the awards presentation online on the WHTC Facebook page.
