Town of Carbonear Newfoundland and Labrador

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1 Community Profile Town of Carbonear Newfoundland and Labrador 2015

2 Population Category: 5000 CIB Participation History: Year Bloom rating Special Mention Outstanding Achievement (Criteria) or Other Award / Blooms

3 Table of Contents Participant Information 2. Judges suggestions from previous year 3. Introduction 4. Tidiness 5. Environmental 6. Heritage Conservation 7. Recreation 2015 PARTICIPANT INFORMATION Population: Website: 4739 (2011) 5270 includes surrounding area Contact Name: Rob Button CIB Committee Chair Contact: Rob Button Area in Square Miles: Total area contains approximately 6000 hectares, (60 square kilometres) Acres of Active Recreation: The Town's main recreational area is located on the Line Road. It includes two ball fields, a soccer field surrounded by a running track, a six-lane indoor swimming pool and the high school gymnasium. Acres of Passive Recreation: Other open space, areas, include Harbour Rock Hill, a Heritage site on the south side of Water Street East, near Buckle's Lane; Centennial Memorial Park. Do You Have a Volunteer Coordinator? No

4 Judges Suggestions from Prior Year Suggestion All suggestions are under review and will be become part of the Implemented Not Implemented Notes The Town of Carbonear has hired a Director of Economic Development and Tourism and all plans are under review. ongoing discussions concerning the development of the Carbonear Municipal Plan. Introduction Welcome to our beautiful, historic town. Carbonear was first settled by people from West Country England in the early 1600's, making it one of the oldest European settlements in North America. The town offers many attractions and amenities for tourists that reflect the town's history and traditions. Descendents from hardy fisher folk and merchants from the West Country of England and the Southeast of Ireland make up 95% of the town's population. Many customs and traditions from the "old country" are still observed in Carbonear. People are very friendly and interested in telling visitors about their town, explaining about local customs, local food, and local expressions. Music is a very important part of the cultural heritage. Newfoundland music with Celtic rhythms is widely heard and there are many local musicians who sing and play a variety of musical instruments, especially those with Irish roots. The Celtic Roots Festival takes place in July, as well as an outdoor concert in Paddy s Garden. The Kiwanis Music Festival is held in Carbonear every spring. Talented individuals and groups of all ages from all over the Baccalieu Trail come to the Princess Sheila NaGeira Theatre to compete. The Town of Carbonear is located on the Avalon Peninsula, midway along the eastern shore of the Bay de Verde Peninsula. The Towns of Victoria and Salmon Cove are immediately neighbouring to the north. The Town of Harbour Grace and the settlement of Bristol's Hope are to the south. Carbonear is approximately 100km from the City of St. John s, Newfoundland and Labrador.

5 Bowman Family - Councillor Bill Bownan, (r) his sister Elaine, Neil O'Grady, and behind him Justin Bowman (Bill's son) See YouTube of "What Would You Do If I Married a Soldier?" - Harbour Rock Storyboards - European Settlement of Carbonear

6 Carbonear Days Parade & Family Activities.

7 Tidiness - The Town Staff collects litter and debris daily at the various park areas throughout town. - The Town has 3 bulk clean ups annually providing residents with an opportunity to dispose of bulk items that collect around properties. - Each spring correspondence is sent out to businesses reminding them of the litter and debris that collects over the winter months and request that they complete required clean up of their property. There has been a very positive response and each spring you see clean up staff around the commercial properties. Trinity Conception Square Community Involvement / Environmental Action Tidiness - The Town holds an annual clean up that involves residents, community groups and businesses. This years participants included the Girl Guides, the Downtown Development Association, Carbonear Academy, Carbonear Collegiate, the Lions Club, a local church and residents in general. A beach clean up was completed at that time. - The Town contracts an individual each summer to maintain the green spaces and medians including floral displays and trees, with the assistance of town staff. Disposal bags for pet waste are available on the boardwalk. Environmental Action - The Town has started a curb side recycling program which includes the collection of 3 streams of solid waste: garbage, fibre and containers. - The Town completes a weekly curb side metal collection where the metals are stored in a dumpster for collection by a company for recycling.

8 - A drop off site is provided for residents to drop off tree branches where they are mulched by the Town. The mulch is available, free of charge, to residents and organizations. - Christmas trees are collected by town staff each January and are mulched for reuse. - The Town schedules an annual tire drop off for disposal of tires by residents. - Backyard composters are provided to residents of the Town in conjunction with the MMSB for a low cost of $20. This has been very successful and many residents have availed of this opportunity. - The Town schedules an annual Household Hazardous Waste Day to provide residents with an opportunity to dispose of household hazardous waste. Household Hazardous Waste Day

9 - Each year the town includes a section in their newsletter reminding residents of water conservation methods to practice. The Town has completed a leak detection program and continues this program. Water usage has been reduced from 2000 gpm to 900 gpm and the program is ongoing. - The Town replaced the HVAC System at the Carbonear Swimming Pool with a more efficient and environmentally friendly heat recovery system and was successful in obtaining Green Funds from the Dept of Environment and Conservation as the new system reduced green house gas emissions. - The Town purchased its first solar powered cross walk light this year which is working quite well. The Town plans to use more of these lights in the future. - Lights throughout town buildings are being replaced with fluorescent and LED lights. - The traffic lights on Columbus Drive are slated to be replaced with LED lights. - The latest dump trucks have been purchased with Tier4 engines that are more environmentally friendly as they have reduced emissions. - Emergency lighting on vehicles have been replaced with LED lights which requires much less energy not requiring the vehicles to be on while in use further decreasing green house gas emissions. - Many of the local business offices recycle their paper waste. Commercial Businesses recycle cardboard. - Residents have been very supportive of the curb side recycling program which has proven to be very successful.

10 - Many residents have participated in the backyard composting program. Municipal, Business & Institutions, Residential & Community Involvement - The Town of Carbonear revised Municipal Plan includes a policy that requires the preservation of buildings in the heritage area and requires renovations to be completed with materials in keeping with the era they were built. New buildings have to be completed in character with the downtown. Heritage Conservation - Some green spaces have incorporated native plants such as wild rose bushes. - The Town has helped preserve the traditions by supporting the newly formed Celtic Roots Festival and through the Carbonear Special Events Committee have organized an annual Tiddley Tournament during the Carbonear Days Activities.

11 The Town organizes a Historic Walking Tour that takes place during July and August. (Received the Manning Award

12 - A Community Garden was initiated with the assistance of the Town of Carbonear and the Recreation Commission. A Community Garden Committee was formed and a community garden was established. The committee consists of volunteers. Land was provided by St. Patrick s Church. Rain barrels are used to provide water in addition to a water supply provided by the Town and the Town donated composters for users of the garden. Material mulched by the town for trees and branches dropped off by residents provides the ground cover around the garden.

13 - The Town has a number of interpretive panels throughout various parks and lookout areas in town.. - Business and residential properties have restored and reused the heritage buildings throughout town. This is most noticeable on Water Street where properties are being used for commercial and office space as well as Bed and Breakfasts.

14 Carbonear Heritage Society This group has been provided with a home by the Town in the Old Post Office. The also operate a museum and advises Council on heritage matters.

15 Kiwanis Club of Carbonear -Construction and maintenance of Park at the Legendary Princess Sheila Gravesite Heritage Conservation Community Involvement Kiwanis Club of Carbonear Construction and Maintenance of Park at the Legendary Princess Sheila s Gravesite Carbonear Lions Club Provided the town with funds to construct a skate board park at the recreation complex which opened in June As well, they are currently assistance in the development of a dog park.

16 Boardwalk of Memories The George Earle Promenade is a boardwalk that is extensively used by residents and visitors. This connects with the downtown and railway bed so these areas can be accessed by those that would like a longer walk. The infrastructure is being developed to connect sidewalks, boardwalks and trails. The Town has ensured to provide safe cross walks for our residents. Flashing lights have been placed in high traffic areas, as well as, pedestrian crossing signals at the traffic lights in the commercial sector. The Town of Carbonear has a very extensive urban forest. This is evident when you look down onto Carbonear from the hills and in many areas it is difficult to see the houses for the many trees.

17 The first initiative was taken approximately 100 years ago when trees were planted in the east end of town referred to as Crocker s Cove. Business, Institutions and Community Involvement J.P. Powell, a prominent local businessman and one of Carbonear's leading citizens lived there in a home that still stands today and the house and surrounding grounds are still a substantial property. Mr. Powell is credited with bringing from England the trees that line the main street of Crocker's Cove today. The Town of Carbonear has adopted a Tree Policy that requires permission to remove a tree in this area and if it has to be, a new tree has to be planted to replace the tree removed. Various species of trees were also planted in the Memorial Park on Water Street. The Town also started an initiative to create an urban forest around the George Earle Promenade. This park area is very popular with the residents and visitors. The public can donate a tree in memory of a loved one that is planted around the pond. The Town also has a policy incorporated into its Municipal Plan for the preservation of trees in the Town, particularly on sites for new development (ie, to discourage the practice of clearing development sites of all trees)

18 The Town of Carbonear Revised Municipal Plan also has a policy of promotion of tree planting and other landscaping measures around major commercial establishments. More emphasis will be placed on this policy for new commercial developments. The new parking lot being developed by the Carbonear General Hospital on Highroad South required that trees along the perimeter of the property not be removed. Residential developments are also encouraged to maintain the naturally growing trees, especially in forested areas. The Forest Road area is a prime example. Even though the area is a relatively new development, there is many mature spruce and fir trees maintained on the properties. The Town of Carbonear has placed considerable emphasis on the entrance to the community with entrance signs, directional signs and landscaping of medians and other green spaces throughout

19 the town. The boardwalk area has a number of new trees planted and floral displays. The fountain in the pond adds to the atmosphere. The Town has also contracted an individual that has significant experience and training in horticulture and he directs town staff and provides many hours keeping the landscaped areas looking their best. The Recreation Complex has a well maintained grounds that receive lime and fertilizer regularly without the use of pesticides. The care that goes into the grounds around this facility is evident.

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21 The Carbonear Special Events Committee organizes a residential garden contest where nominations are accepted for gardens and an award is provided based on landscaping, floral displays and effort involved in the residential garden. During the Christmas season there is also an award for the best decorated house. Carbonear Business Improvement District Water is a defining force that fundamentally shapes the character of each place it touches. The role of water in transport, industry, sanitation and nourishment made it the raison d etre of human settlement. It is a feature to be honoured and celebrated not to be treated merely as cosmetic or as just a commodity. Waterfronts, the unique places where land and water meet, are a finite resource embodying the special history and character of each community.

22 Carbonear Island

23 St. James Anglican Church

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26 The Town has initiated a number of health and wellness initiatives. The town has made a policy to include sidewalks on at least one side for new residential medium density subdivisions. The sidewalks are being extended to access areas that are more frequently travelled such as the downtown and commercial areas. Capital upgrades to existing streets include sidewalks on one side. Carbonear Walking Trail A project is currently approved for a hiking trail along the former railway bed. This initiative commences on Monday. To reach other demographics the Town of Carbonear entered into a partnership with the Carbonear Lions Club (providing $50,000) to construct a skate park at the recreation complex which opened in June. Also, we are currently investigating areas to provide a dog park for our residents. To aid in the development of affordable housing, the Town has approved the permits to construct several Senior/Retirement housing units. To ensure the Town continues to move forward with public health and safety the Carbonear Recreation Commission developed a 5 year master plan outlining initiatives for the town. This plan is reviewed annually and budget items are presented to council for their consideration.