Washington prepares for American in Bloom judges with site tours, mulching and cleanup plans

Chad (parks staff member) and members of the commission described preparations for American in Bloom judging scheduled for Monday and Tuesday, June 16–17.

Commissioners said two advisers will arrive and two additional staff will follow them, plus a team of eight people assisting over the two days. Staff described a planned driving tour of the city, a downtown walking tour augmented by golf carts to save time, scheduled documentation time for the judges, and an evening dinner for questions.

Why it matters: American in Bloom judging raises local visibility of parks and streetscape work and concentrates volunteer and staff effort in the days before the visit.

Chad said the itinerary will favor sites the commission wants highlighted and that staff will work with the Washington Improvement Board to coordinate stops. He said judges need two to three hours each afternoon to complete documentation.

Volunteer and Urban Forestry work was described in detail. Commissioner Gavin Willie said the Urban Forestry Council mulched young trees at Optimist Park, focused on Riverfront Park for trimming and weeding, and ran a “Weed Wednesday” session prior to the judges’ visit. Gavin said several volunteers will accompany the judges and some advisers are visiting Washington for the first time.

Staff also confirmed a community cleanup day will begin at 8:30 a.m. at the old downtown post office; organizers said the plan includes painting and spraying as well as mulching work and that a rain plan will be finalized with Tyler (staff). The commission did not provide an attendance estimate for the cleanup.

Ending: commissioners said they will host judges over two busy days and give judges time to complete documentation; they expect the visit to help highlight recent park improvements.