City invites residents to help show that Brantford is Bloomin’

BRANTFORD, ON – The City of Brantford is set to compete in the 2026 Communities in Bloom national competition, showcasing the parks, gardens, natural spaces and community spirit that make Brantford a place people are proud to call home.

As Brantford prepares to welcome the Communities in Bloom national judges, residents are invited to join the celebration by entering the Brantford is Bloomin’ Garden Contest at LetsTalkBrantford.ca/CommunitiesinBloom. To enter, residents can submit a photo of their garden for a chance to win gift cards from Walters Greenhouse, Fiori Garden Centre and Nicol Florist. This contest is being offered in partnership with the Neighbourhood Alliance of Brantford (NAB) and participating Neighbourhood Associations to date, including Brantford Station, Downtown Central, Eagle Place Community Association, Grandwoodlands, Holmedale, Seneca and West Brant Neighbourhood Associations. Participants can also pin their garden location on the Brantford is Bloomin' Garden Map. The contest closes on Friday, July 31, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. From the neighbourhood award winners, the 2026 Champion Brantford is Bloomin’ Garden Award winner will be selected and celebrated during a presentation that will include the Communities in Bloom judges, the Mayor’s Office, and the NAB Executives during the judging tour on Saturday, August 8, 2026. For additional chances to win, residents can visit the social media pages of their Neighbourhood Association to participate in additional contests taking place.

“In 2025, the City of Brantford was recognized with an impressive five out of five blooms in Ontario’s Communities in Bloom competition, earning the opportunity to compete in the national competition,” said Kimberley Wyskiel, Director of Parks and Recreation, City of Brantford. “The organizing committee is looking forward to welcoming the Communities in Bloom judges this August and showcasing Brantford’s beautiful gardens, maintained year-round by our skilled and dedicated horticultural staff, on the national stage."

The Communities in Bloom judges will be visiting Brantford from August 6 to 8, 2026, to evaluate the City’s efforts across six key criteria including community appearance, environmental action, heritage conservation, tree management and trails, landscape and plant and floral displays. Participation in the Communities in Bloom program brings many benefits to the City, including increasing awareness of green and sustainable initiatives, enhancing tourism potential, environmental leadership, community engagement, and ongoing horticulture improvement.

The community is invited to visit selected locations that will be judged, including: 

• Lorne Park, 15 Colborne Street West
• Glenhyrst Gardens, 20 Ava Road
• Waterworks Park, 400 Grand River Avenue
• Brantford City Hall, 58 Dalhousie Street
• Harmony Square, 89 Dalhousie Street
• Brant County War Memorial, 6 Dalhousie Street
• Bell Memorial, 41 West Street
• Prominence Point, 2 Brant Avenue
• Brantford Children’s Memorial Garden, intersection of Brant Ave. and Palmerston Ave.

To learn more about Communities in Bloom, visit www.Brantford.ca/CIB. To enter the Brantford is Bloomin’ contest, visit LetsTalkBrantford.ca/CommunitiesinBloom. 

About Communities in Bloom

Communities in Bloom is a Canadian non-profit organization committed to fostering civic pride, environmental responsibility and beautification through community involvement and an annual national program that challenges communities to enhance green spaces. The 2026 Communities in Bloom theme, Therapeutic Gardening, recognizes the power of gardens and green spaces to support health, well-being, and community connection. Whether through community gardens, sensory landscapes, or everyday gardening, these spaces help foster resilience, inclusion, and a stronger sense of belonging. To learn more, visit www.communitiesinbloom.ca. 

-30-

Media Contact:

City of Brantford Communications and Community Engagement
519-759-4150 | communications@brantford.ca