Volunteers Needed for Mile of Flowers Plant-in

Come out and join the biggest planting event in Courtenay! The Mile of Flowers is marking 57 years of filling Cliffe Avenue boulevards with colourful blooms on Tuesday, May 28.

The Plant-in starts at 5 p.m. and goes until around 7 p.m. Volunteers from the community are invited to fill the garden beds on both sides of Cliffe Avenue from 8^th to 21^st Streets with summer flowers provided by the City of Courtenay.

No prior experience is required – just pick an open spot, and start planting. Participants are asked to bring garden gloves and a trowel or spoon for digging. 

Typically, between 200 and 500 volunteers are needed. Youth groups are encouraged to take part and all youth groups attending will be entered in a random draw to win a one-hour pool party at the outdoor pool in Lewis Park.

Mayor Bob Wells encourages residents to join the Plant-in. “The Mile of Flowers Plant-in is a wonderful opportunity to connect with community. We’ll often see multiple generations of Comox Valley residents who have made volunteering at this event an annual tradition.” said Wells. “We’re hoping for another great turn-out this year and encourage everyone to come out and join in the fun, it’s a beautiful way to spend the evening.”

The Mile of Flowers is a tradition dating back to 1967, when Kathleen 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.

The City of Courtenay maintains the flower beds, watering as needed, 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.

Snacks and refreshments will be provided courtesy of the Courtenay Rotary Club and the City of Courtenay.

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.

For more information, please visit www.courtenay.ca/mileofflowers