If you have completed some significant construction to the front of your house you are probably eligible to enter CPA’s Restoration Award Competition. We are looking for entries that will enhance the streetscape of our community through an imaginative understanding of the scale, materials, and detailing that have made up the character of Cabbagetown over the years.
In recent years the award certificate has been accompanied with a painting of the winner's house by Lisa Crouch.
2009 Award
restoration of 357 Wellesley Street East
2008 Award
restoration of 314 Wellesley Street East
2007 Award
restoration of the Winchester Hotel
2006 Awards:
winner: renovation of 264 Carlton Street
honourable mention: renovation of 61 Winchester Street
2005 Awards:
winner:Yonge Street Mission
For the renovation of the Christian Community Centre
At 270 Gerrard St. East
honourable mention: renovation of 66 Metcalfe Street
2004 Awards:
winner: replication of 2 Bowman Street
honourable mention: 21 and 23 Salisbury Avenue
2003 Awards:
winner: 422 Sackville Street.
honourable mention: the coachhouse at 351 Berkeley Street
Submissions should include photographs and/or drawings showing the before and after conditions of the project. The final date for submission each year is April 20. Contact us for details.
What is Streetscapes in Bloom?
Gardening is becoming the number one hobby in Canada and we are all the beneficiaries as we stroll the streets of Cabbagetown.The gardens in our neighbourhood continue to display remarkable flora, and are a testament to the imagination and hard work of Cabbagetown gardeners.For the past 8 years the CPA has presented an award to a homeowner whose “garden of merit” has been nominated by a resident of Cabbagetown. The annual winner receives an original watercolour of their garden done by artist Lisa Crouch. A formal presentation takes place at the Fall Annual General Meeting of the CPA. Four runners-up are presented with certificates of honour.
When did this award begin?
In 1996, a competition was held throughout Toronto celebrating “Streetscapes in Bloom” and the gardens of 90-98 Winchester Street won a certificate of merit. This award started the whole Cabbagetown event.
Who is eligible for nomination?
Any garden in the catchment area served by the CPA may be nominated. (See the judging process as outlined below).
When does the judging happen?
The judges begin visiting the gardens shortly after nominations close in May. The visits take place monthly through September in order for the judging panel to evaluate the gardens throughout the entire growing season.
How do I nominate a garden?
As you wander along our beautiful streets and notice a particularly lovely botanical effort, hear the splash of a fountain or espy a fanciful fence, note the house number and forward it to the chair of the judging panel, Helen Coltrinari. The judging panel needs the exact address of the garden and, if possible, the owner’s name.
Nominations are accepted until May 30th of the award year. You may use any of the following contact methods:
Phone: 416-923-6165 (leave a detailed message)
e-mail: helenc.hmc@sympatico.ca
mail: 94 Winchester Street, Toronto ON M4X 1B2
How will I know that my garden has been nominated?
Early in June and before the first visit by the judges, nominees are informed by letter that they have been selected and that the panel will visit the garden four times, June through September. The winning garden is chosen by the end of September and the homeowner is notified shortly thereafter.
What is the judging process?
Each member of the committee uses an evaluation sheet which assigns a score in a number of garden categories from design, to accents, to maintenance. If a garden does not have a feature on the list (e.g. water, tall trees), it is not penalized but simply marked n/a. In September, scores are tallied to come up with a winner.
To be nominated, the following criteria are considered:
The attraction of the garden must be clearly visible from the street (hence the name of the award: Streetscapes in Bloom). In addition to the flora, the judges look for other appealing features: water, path work, sculpture, perennials, shrubbery, including vines, plantings suitable for the sun exposure of the garden and of course, colour. In general, the garden should exhibit an aspect the would cause a passerby to pause and notice.
Who are are the judges?
The chair of the judging panel is Helen Coltrinari. The previous year’s winner is invited to join the panel, standing members Ruth Wagner, Ken McKenzie, and Paul Shearestone.
All winning gardens receive this glass medallian and a mounting stand for garden display
Winning
Garden
for 2008
Award Winner:
308 Carlton Street
Honourable Mentions for 2008
18 Metcalfe Street
29 Sword Street
369 Wellesley Street
403 Sackville Street
19 Amelia Street
Past Honourable Mentions
Prospect Street Community Garden
A delightful perennial surprise west of Parliament Street
Sword Street
New boulevard boxes with plantings and greenery add to the charm of this small street
Metcalfe Street South of Winchester
Iron fencing, boulevard flower pots, creative stonework and welcoming gardens all add to the appeal of this streetscape.
Committee members
Steve Poulin, Stephen Boddy, Ruth Wagner & Ken Mackenzie, Paul Shearestone, Ruth Wagner, Sandra Riches & Dr. Jim Vanougios
Past Winners
2006 28 Amelia St.
2007 5-7 Geneva St.
2008 308 Carlton St.