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The Pickering Blooms Story

On May 8, 2009 The City of Pickering launched a new community beautification program, Pickering Blooms. This program enables community residents, businesses, schools, community groups and organizations to find information about the many community programs designed to showcase and recognize efforts of Civic Pride throughout Pickering. If you, your group, business, friend or neighbour participates in beautifying our community, this is the program for you.

The Pickering Blooms platform is home to many exciting initiatives including the adopt-a-park program where schools, organizations or community groups officially adopt-a-park and pledge to keep it clean and beautiful; pitch-in-parties, where your group can receive assistance from the City in the form of equipment and supplies to clear a green space of debris; community garden maintenance for residents or groups interested in participating in a horticultural or community vegetable garden project, environmental stewardship for environmental business, stewardship or conservation properties, and the eco-schools program designed to implement sustainable development education in schools by encouraging children and youth to take an active role in how their school can be run for the benefit of the environment. In addition to these unique opportunities a Garden Showcase has been added, this program offers local gardeners the opportunity to register and showcase their garden and if desired to participate in a mentorship program – volunteer gardening experts will visit them to provide advice and feedback. Participants are further invited to include their garden photos in an online gallery and will be welcomed to the program with a commemorative garden ornament designed specifically for the Pickering Blooms program.

This program is co-chaired by Mayor Dave Ryan and Bill McLean, Regional Councillor Ward 2 and includes committee representatives from like-minded organizations who take pride in beautifying their homes and their community. The Pickering Horticultural Society, Bloomers & Britches ~ Heritage Gardening Group, Claremont Garden Club, Valley Plentiful Community Garden and Altona Forest Environmental Stewardship have joined the City to offer their services and opportunities for involvement.

For more information about any of the Pickering Blooms programs, its partner groups or to register in the Community Garden Competition continue to explore our website or call the Customer Care Centre at 905.683.7575.