Northern Ontario communities shine in national bloom awards

Two northern communities received high honours Saturday at the annual Communities in Bloom awards ceremony in Stratford.

Two northern Ontario communities, North Bay and Capreol, have been recognized for their beauty, volunteerism and heritage at the 2025 Communities in Bloom National and International Awards Ceremonies.

The event, held Oct. 18 in Stratford, Ont., honoured municipalities from across Canada and Europe. The City of North Bay won the National Population - Over 50,000 category, earning a 5 Blooms - Bronze rating. The Town of Capreol, now part of Greater Sudbury, won the National Population - Up to 5,000 category with a 5 Blooms - Silver rating.

Celebration of community spirit

The awards are the result of a summer-long evaluation process where trained volunteer judges visited participating communities. They assessed contributions from municipal councils, departments, industry, businesses and volunteers on criteria including community appearance, environmental action, heritage conservation, tree management and plant displays.

North Bay received a special mention for ‘Volunteerism and Community Spirits.’ In their written evaluation, judges Tina Liu and Karen Stephenson noted the city’s pervasive community spirit.

“North Bay exudes community spirit. There are a plethora of community groups that are active in the city and they cover a broad spectrum of community needs,” the judges wrote.

“Whether there is a garden bed to be planted in a public park or a marginalized group that needs support, there are volunteers on hand to provide the support that is needed.”

They specifically highlighted the group Clean, Green, Beautiful North Bay for its work on beautification initiatives, litter pickup and planting urban orchards.

“This shared sense of responsibility and pride helps make North Bay not only a vibrant community but also a place where collective action truly thrives,” said the judges.

Liu and Stephenson visited North Bay in late July, exploring various locations, tourist attractions and natural sites, evaluating the community’s efforts to combat climate change and promote a healthy environment.

Northern Ontario’s award winners

In addition to its category win, North Bay received several Outstanding Achievement Awards, including the National Capital Commission Plant and Floral Displays Award, the Scotts Youth Involvement Award and the Tree Management Award.

The City of North Bay’s official finalist write-up highlights its “exceptional natural environment,” citing Trout Lake as the city’s drinking water source and the waterfront on Lake Nipissing as a community heart with gardens, a walkway and a museum. The city, with a population of approximately 52,662, is described as a place where heritage, nature and community converge.

Meanwhile, the Town of Capreol was honoured with the Communities in Bloom Heritage Conservation Award. The community’s history is deeply rooted in the railroad, having been established in 1915 as a divisional point for the Canadian Northern Railway and incorporated as a town in 1918.

Capreol, which celebrated its 100-year anniversary in 2018, is now home to the Northern Ontario Railroad Museum and Heritage Centre. The museum, founded in 1993, is dedicated to preserving the history of the lumber, mining and railroading industries that shaped the region. The town, with a population of approximately 3,500, was amalgamated into the City of Greater Sudbury in 2001.

Communities in Bloom national judges Larry Hall and Christine Isaac visited the Greater Sudbury community in early August, where they toured key locations – including the riverfront in downtown Capreol, a private garden and the Capreol Needlework Club. Hall and Isaac were also present for a ceremonial planting of a new oak tree at the Capreol Splash Pad, replacing a fallen one.

National program fosters greener communities

Communities in Bloom is a volunteer-driven, non-profit organization that uses a competitive evaluation process to foster community strength and continuous improvement.

“As we celebrate the 31st edition of Communities in Bloom, we proudly recognize and thank all the communities that took part in our provincial, national and international programs,” said National Chairperson Peggy Head, in a news release Saturday.

“With the support of our Board, judges, sponsors and partners, your ongoing dedication to creating greener, healthier and more sustainable places truly embodies our spirit of growing great places together.”

The program also partners with corporate sponsors like Scotts Canada, which runs the ‘Gro for Good’ grant program to support community gardens and green spaces. These grants, valued at $2,500, are awarded based on community impact, youth involvement and sustainability.

The awards for North Bay and Capreol highlight the achievements of northern Ontario communities in enhancing their local environments and preserving their unique histories on a national stage.

With files from CTVNorthernOntario.ca journalists Alana Everson and Eric Taschner