Support growing to save Front Yards in Bloom program

Edmontonians are growing support for the Front Yards in Bloom program the city cut to save money. CTV News Edmonton's Nahreman Issa reports.

A day after the City of Edmonton announced it would no longer continue its Front Yards in Bloom program, ideas on how to save it are now blooming.

“We enjoy seeing the flowers, the different colours, having grass that’s in good shape,” said John and Joyce Van Essen.

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Gardening has become a retirement hobby for the couple who have been nominated for the Front Yards in Bloom program several times.

“We weren’t really sure why our yard qualified, other than our sense of pride in just having a nice looking yard and something that we love to do,” the Van Essen’s said.

The program first sprouted in Edmonton 25 years ago.

“The Front Yards in Bloom program, including the annual Edmonton in Bloom Awards, have been valuable to the community and we want to acknowledge the positive impact they have contributed to the lives of Edmontonians,” the City of Edmonton said in an email to CTV News Edmonton.

The program was cut to help achieve council’s goal of reducing the 2025 property tax increase.

“These reductions support the City’s increased focus on core services – work that is essential to keep Edmonton’s open spaces and mobility network accessible and safe for Edmontonians,” the email continued.

“It really helped connect us to the community,” said Kathleen Mpulubusi, a retired postal worker.

She nominated hundreds of homes along her mail routes over the years.

“It did cause a ripple effect,” Mpulubusi said.

“One yard I would see on a block, a yard would get nominated and that might prompt the neighbours around to think, ‘Okay, maybe I should spruce it up a little bit,’” she added.

Councillor Aaron Paquette was also disappointed the program was cut but is optimistic it’s not the end.

“Maybe it’ll have to be more community driven than city driven,” Paquette said.

He then planted an idea perhaps it could be something a local gardening store could take on.

“What a perfect advertising opportunity for them. It’s targeted advertising for exactly the people they want to talk to,” he said.

The city said it’s willing to support partners that want to revive the Front Yards in Bloom program independently.

Welcome news for Mpulubusi who is meeting with community groups this week to discuss ways to continue it.

With files from CTV News Edmonton’s Nahreman Issa