2024 Annual Report Draft

Mile of Flowers Every year in late May, community volunteers gather to fill the garden beds on both sides of Cliffe Avenue, from 8th to 21st streets, with summer flowers provided by the City of Courtenay. This event is a tradition dating back to 1967 when Kathleen (Kath) Kirk set out to commemorate Canada’s centennial year. That year she planted 7,800 seedlings as a welcome to tourists. What began as the initiative of one woman now involves hundreds of volunteers and around 30,000 flowers. Following the plant-in, the City of Courtenay maintains the flower beds, watering as needed and using compost and mulch to improve water retention. Water-efficient drip-irrigation systems have been installed in a number of beds. Some have also been converted to water efficient perennial blooms and shrubs. The City of Courtenay sends heartfelt thanks to all the community volunteers, clubs and organizations who have helped beautify our community for so many years. In a collective effort to celebrate the spirit of Earth Day, the City hosted its second annual community clean-up event on April 20. This initiative aimed to inspire environmental stewardship and community engagement while fostering a sense of pride and responsibility for our local environment. Over a two-hour period, volunteers removed garbage and debris in urban and natural environments, preventing these unwanted materials from being washed into storm drains, creeks and waterways. Keeping our parks, streets and sidewalks clean helps prevent debris from entering the estuary and ocean. Community members gathered for second annual spring clean-up event

Mile of Flowers

Community clean-up

City of Courtenay | 2024 Annual Report

36