The Communities in Bloom judges who surveyed the Eston community last summer were impressed by the Centennial Park on Main Street, stating in their report that  “it is the best such park we’ve seen in our travels.” Former Lieutenant Governor Vaughn Solomon-Schofield was also impressed with the park during her Eston centennial visit in 2016. She is shown above at the park with Communities in Bloom committee members. Back, from left, Sandy King, Doreen Reaburn, Ellen Owens, Jill Thome, Valerie Mohan, Leslie Kraft and Loreen Buskell. Front: town council representative Rod Meyers, Shelagh Vance and the Lieutenant Governor.

Crossroads Staff

For the sixth time in 18 years, the Eston Communities in Bloom committee has brought top honours to the town.

It was recently announced that Eston was the leader in the 1,001-2,000 population category receiving four blooms and a special mention for the fortitude of the committee.

Communities in Bloom is a national program which in Saskatchewan is administered by the provincial parks and recreation association. Program participants work towards enhancing their communities in six areas: tidiness, environmental action, heritage conservation, urban forestry, landscape and floral displays.

In the judging, which was carried out in the community in July, Eston received 802.5 points out of a possible 1,000.

[emember_protected for=”2″ custom_msg=’For more on this story, please see this week’s print edition of The Cross Roads.’]

Landscape received the highest number of points, 160.5, followed by floral displays (153), heritage conservation (123.5), tidiness (123), urban forestry (122.5) and environmental action (120).

Committee member Valerie Mohan said the committee members were pleased with the judging which she said “was very positive, very encouraging.”

The judges, Sheila and Roger Nordick, were here a few years ago, she said, which was good as they were able to see the changes that have been made and the progress in a number of areas.

The judges in the introduction to their evaluation document stated that “You’re the best ‘bloomin’ community that we have seen over the years. The energy you distribute throughout your community truly appears almost everywhere we looked.”

Special mention was made of mayor Al Heron and public works director Mike Sauser as “true role models.”

“Your community is certainly the place we would recommend other communities visit that wish to succeed in the CIB program,” the document continues.

The judges noted particularly a couple of “unusual things” they saw on entering Eston: “the railway right-of-way was completely trimmed which is a difficult thing to get done in most communities and all the ditches along the perimeter roads were very neatly trimmed as well. This is great!”

   Among their other observations:

Tidiness: vacant lots are not being well kept; the two pocket parks on Main Street are “very appealing areas”; “the slopes surrounding the water reservoir were fenced and mowed purely for aesthetics which adds a pleasant new dimension when one thinks of where their good quality drinking water originates”; the sports fields and surrounding landscape “were very tidy and in pristine condition; the cemetery was as neat and tidy as it could possibly be; the large farm equipment dealer along the main thoroughfare had his property well maintained, a nice condition not often seen in rural Saskatchewan.”

Environmental action: very tight adherence to provincial rules for burning at landfulls; 18 blocks of sewer lined this year; “we wish you the best success as you endeavour to provide abundant, quality water to rural customers in the very near future”; staff diligently enforce waste being dropped off in three areas at the landfill site; “the imagination garden adds an intriguing, multi-colored xeriscape to an otherwise common street, promotes youth creativity and is an opportunity to teach youth the importance of waste recycling.”

Heritage conservation: the heritage and vegetable gardens at the museum are not well maintained, this could be a teaching opportunity for the summer students; the cemetery bridge and directory are “enviable assets”; also, “it is nice to see positive steps have been taken in the new section of the cemetery to regulate the style and height of headstones”; the historical signage on several buildings is worth developing further; the “Over 50’s Club has been doing a fantastic job of refurbishing a building and grounds; the Legion Hall looks fantastic”.

Urban forestry: the wide diversity of trees, shrubs and annual and perennial flowers throughout the community is positive, the number of gophers is not. Many of the recently planted trees are stressed from heat, a lack of consistent watering, damage from rodents and weed trimming practices; there are some areas of good pruning in the community.

Landscape: the gopher planting area lacks color; planters around the entry signs would draw attention to the areas; landscaping in the parking lot at the “50’s Club” brightens “what otherwise would be a drab parking lot”; the Centennial Park “is the best such park we’ve seen in our travels. ‘Imagination Garden’ is the most creative display we’ve seen;” the mowing of the railway-right-of-way was a hit with the judges. “Whatever you have done to get the rail right-of-way mowed you should bottle it. There is surely a large market for that type of product.”

Floral displays: “Floral displays in your community surpass pretty much every place we’ve visited or evaluated in Saskatchewan.” The judges suggested adding floral arrangements at the Town and R.M. shops and the Co-op store and garage.

Valerie Mohan said the committee will get together early in the new year to review the judges’ observations and recommendations and make plans for the 2019 season.

She said the committee members take pride in their work with the Communities in Bloom Committee. “We feel pride in seeing how good the town can look,” she said. “It gives us a sense of accomplishment. We don’t consider it work.”

Mayor Al Heron also said he was happy with the results of the judging. He praised the committee saying it is “excellent. I can’t thank them enough for all they do for us. They do a tremendous job for Eston.”

Not only do they for a great job for the community, but he said seeing them work on their various projects in the community inspires others to get out and work on their own yards.

[/emember_protected] eston