Evaluation Criteria
All municipalities across Canada are judged by dedicated, specially trained volunteer judges based on eight criteria which include efforts made by residents, municipal bodies and all forms of businesses. The judges travel across Ontario during the summer and evaluate each location based on these factors:
Floral Displays: Arrangements of flowers and plants are evaluated on their originality, distribution, location, diversity and balance, harmony, quality and maintenance. The arrangements can be made into flower beds, carpet bedding, containers, baskets, window boxes and can be a mix of annuals, perennials, bulbs, ornamental grasses, etc.
Turf & Groundcovers: Include the quality of naturalization, use of groundcovers and wild flowers, turf management (manicured to rough) and maintenance – mowing height/frequency, Integrated Pest Management (IPM), fertilization programs, irrigation and water restriction. This includes private homes, public buildings, municipal and private sports fields and athletic parks.
Landscaped Areas: Focuses on efforts to create an environment where the plants form an essential element of the whole surroundings. This means the overall design and suitability for location and/or use, the use of native plant materials or introduction of new materials, a balance of plant material and constructed elements, harmony (colour, texture and shape), integration of art elements and high standards of maintenance and site rejuvenation and rehabilitation.
Natural & Cultural Heritage Conservation: It includes collective efforts to preserve heritage within the community. Support and attention to museums, archives, history books and interpretative programs, policies and by-laws, preservation and restoration of buildings, cemeteries, parks, heritage gardens, trees, monuments and artifacts, historical societies and advisory committees.
Tidiness: Includes an overall tidiness effort of green spaces (parks, etc), medians, streets, sidewalks, ditches, road shoulders, signage, vacant lots and buildings with regards to garbage, weeds, maintenance and repair, dog droppings, notices/posters, graffiti and vandalism.
Environmental Awareness: It includes such things as sustainable development, policies and by-laws, waste reduction, landfill sites, hazardous waste collection, sewage disposal, transfer/recycle stations, recycling initiatives, pesticide and waste management, and the municipality’s ability to deal with these issues.
Tree/Urban Forest Management: Includes the efforts made concerning urban forestry. It includes any written policies, by-laws and regulations, short and long-term plans, maintenance (IPM, pruning, etc), new plantings, heritage trees and woodlots, preservation of trees and succession planting. An effort in developing concepts and designs around existing trees or to include new plantings.
Community Involvement: Includes citizens from the private, municipal and corporate sector (including all forms of local businesses) and their involvement in various community projects. Volunteers involved in long and short-term projects (Family Day, Clean-Up Day etc.) and recreational programs (coaches, team managers, etc).
