2015 Communities in Bloom Town of Fox Creek, Alberta Community Profile Book
Communities in Bloom Town of Fox Creek, Alberta Dear Communities in Bloom Judges: The Town of Fox Creek is vastly growing community with a population of 2, 112 and a shadow population of over 10, 000 residences. What was once a small oil rig site, has now become the small area that has turned into a playground of opportunity. Our town has a diverse multi-cultural community comprised of Filipino, European and Asian descents. Our community is home to 6 parks (including our school), 3 campgrounds and numerous green spaces for families to come together and socialize. In addition, our recreational facilities include our outdoor swimming pool, the Derald Palmer Arena, the Curling Rink, the Silver Birch Golf Course and Country Club, and our spray park located at the Lions Playground. We also offer the local museum and Visitor Information Centre which is home to some amazing examples of the indigenous animal life and the Fox Creek Gallery that displays numerous pieces of artwork from local community members. As you tour our community, you will see that our community members, business and community leaders are proud of our local organizations, parks and continuous community enhancements. They all work hard to achieve the utmost quality of life that our families and residents deserve to live in. Without their support and continuous volunteerism, many of our community enhancement projects, youth programs and community events would not happen without sincere dedication of all involved. We have numerous volunteers who dedicate themselves to improving our community through the community garden, Marnevic Memorial Park, Nordic Trails and through our various Community Enhancement initiatives, just to name a few. Fox Creek Fire Hall Best Regards, As this is our second year of participation, we hope to learn how we can better our efforts overall in promoting community beautification as we believe this project will help Fox Creek by fostering civic pride, a better understanding of environmental responsibilities and to achieve an overall sense of accomplishment through the Communities in Bloom initiative. In conclusion, I would like to thank you on behalf of the town for allowing Fox Creek to participate in the Communities in Bloom 2015 program. We also thank you for your role in promoting the unification of communities and the efforts to enhance beautification to all communities across the province. Kristen Milne Assistant Chief Administrative Officer Town of Fox Creek 1
TABLE OF CONTENTS Greetings from Assistant Chief Administrative Officer 1 Table of Contents. 2 MUNICIPAL INFORMATION FORM 3 ITINERARY.. 4 EVALUATION ELEMENTS: Tidiness. 5 Environmental Action 6 WELCOME! Mission Statement We are a playground of opportunity enhancing the quality of life by improving the economic and social well-being for all generations the future is now. Heritage Conservation.... 7 Urban Forestry... 8 Landscape.... 9 Floral Displays...10 Acknowledgements.11 Vision Fox Creek will be a preferred community with stability, prosperity and family values. Values We value family, growth, environment, stability, and teamwork. The Town of Fox Creek welcomes our Communities in Bloom judges to our community. Town Administration Office 2
2014 Municipal Information Form General information MUNICIPALITY: TOWN OF FOX CREEK POPULATION: 2,112 MUNICIPAL BUDGET: 9.2 MILLION PARKS BUDGET AS A % OF MUNICIPAL BUDGET: 15 % TOTAL AREA: 520 HECTARE (ESTIMATED) PARKS AND GREEN SPACES AREA AS A % OF TOTAL AREA: 7% (ESTIMATED) Municipal Action Plan The Town of Fox Creek is excited to be participants of this year`s edition of Communities in Bloom. This will be our second year of participation and are looking forward to what this year will bring! As we are half way into 2015, our community has completed many exciting projects and more developments are underway. We are in the midst of finishing more of our trails, in adjacent to the existing ones completed last year as well as opening our brand new Bike Park located behind the Marnevic Park. The Community Resource Centre completed the Community Garden located on Hammond Drive, the first of many we hope to build and had a successful planting this past spring. The Oasis Park has been spruced up with trees and benches, along with other minor beautification amenities. Fox Creek has continued to hang flower baskets from town buildings, as well as the light poles along Kaybob Drive and down to Highway Avenue to add to the floral displays around the community. This year, they have added flower planters at the bases of some of the trees and around the gazebo at the retention pond to bring more color to the area. Along with flower baskets, the community has continued with the photo banners along the main walking path on Kaybob Drive, which have been sponsored by the various companies within Fox Creek and the surrounding area. The photographs on the banners have been taken by residents of the community, and were submitted to the community enhancement project and are displayed along the main drive of our community. The Town of Fox Creek is a fast changing community, with many positive attributes that have been used as the building blocks of our small town. We are dedicated to moving forward with the growing changes that the province has in store for us by continuously making Fox Creek a better place to be for our families, like our founding fathers had envisioned. On behalf of the entire community, The Town of Fox Creek would like to welcome Communities in Bloom to our town and thank you for your visit. We hope that you will enjoy your stay and enjoy what our community has to offer. Visitor Information Centre 3
Itinerary 9:00 am Meet and Greet at the Town Administrative Office- 102 Kaybob Drive, with members of the CiB Committee and Town Staff 10:00 am Driving Tour of Fox Creek 12:00 pm Lunch 1:30 pm Walking Tour 3:00 pm Farewell and free time for judges 4 3 rd Avenue
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Tidiness Community Bylaws and Standards Fox Creek s bylaws were created to address and maintain the safety and wellbeing of the community, its residents and property, nuisances, unsightly premises, and the clearing of obstructions including snow, ice, dirt and other objects that impede in the safe exit from the premises. Through our Peace Officer, these bylaws are enforced and ensures all residents feel safe so they can enjoy a safe environment for years to come. Public advertisements are posted on corkboards located at the Freson Bros grocery store and the CIBC. It helps to keep Commercial Court less cluttered with various ads and paper being taped to the lamp posts. Many downtown businesses, with exception of the Post Office and liquor stores, also allow the community residents to put up advertisement posters to help spread the word on upcoming community activities. Curbside Pick Up and Waste Disposal Residents enjoy a weekly curbside pickup for household waste and recyclables. Larger items can be taken to the municipal landfill or transfer station to be disposed of properly. Litter and Recycling Receptacles Garbage and recycle containers are located throughout the community and within offices, schools and parks. E-Waste and Hazardous Waste Disposal COPS Park The Town is a part of the Alberta Recycling program and is dedicated to helping reduce landfill. The municipal transfer station is equipped to take all electronics, paint, and various hazardous waste to be picked up and disposed of safely through initiatives like our Annual Community Roundup. 6
Street Cleaning, Snow Removal and Parks Upkeep The Parks and Recreation department looks after the town parks and the main street by grass cutting, trimming and garbage pickup. They also look after all of the flower gardens and planters around town by watering three times a week and replanting flowers every season. The Public Works department works hard to keep and maintain streets and walkways clear of snow, ice and other debris year round. With most residents working in the field their commute is on non paved roads. This means that on the right days plenty of mud and gravel is brought into town. 7
Environmental Action Waste Management Fox Creek has two main locations for waste management: on the south side of town we have the Transfer station where our recycling of electronics, paint and cardboard are located; on the north side is our Landfill site on the Iosegun Road where our garbage is taken, along with tires and other non-recyclable items. We are working towards combining the two sites in the hope of reducing our carbon footprint in the province. Seven new garbage bins were installed this spring to help reduce litter. Water Rebate and Filtration Program Homeowners in the Town of Fox Creek are able to apply for a rebate to help them replace old, water guzzling toilets, installing a flow shower head, or installing a new in-line home filter system. Wastewater System The Town operates and maintains the Water Treatment facility along with the retention pond also known as Oasis Park. Our main source of water comes from wells surrounding the community and our waste water goes into the lagoons to the north of town. Some of the lagoon water is purchased by Shell and used in oil extraction. Recycling The Town is a part of the Alberta Recycling program and is dedicated to helping reduce landfill and maintain a green footprint in our small community. The entire community works hard to achieve this through recycling and reducing the amount of waste that can end up in municipal landfills. Community Garden In town, we have one Thrift Store that is run by the Friends of the 8
Fox Creek Hospital Society. It is open one Saturday a month and on rare occasion once during the week. The bottle depot is constantly busy with sorting of bottles from the community. The depot is run by Kim Kennedy, a community member, who puts in long hours to help keep our environment as clean and friendly as possible. Community Garden Our first community garden was completed this spring. To help reserve the town s water supply, we have placed numerous water barrels around the grounds filled with non-potable water to water the 35 plots. 9
Heritage Conservation History The Town of Fox Creek has a long history dating back to the early 1900 s. Many of the families that have built Fox Creek to what it is now, still reside in our community through their newest generation. Fox Creek Historical Society The Fox Creek Historical Society is dedicated to the preservation of the community by increasing the community s understanding of the local and natural history of Fox Creek. This objective is primarily achieved with maintaining an archival collection at the Fox Creek Museum. They are currently in the process of recruiting community members to contribute to the updated historical book- Iosegun Reflections: A History of Fox Creek. In partnership with the province, the FCHA sponsored a landmark in town to dedicated the land where the Iosegun School, which is now home to the Alberta Ranger Station. Multi-Culturalism in Fox Creek Fox Creek Museum Fox Creek is well known for being a multi-cultural community. Our Filipino community hosts the Filipino Games every summer, where all residents of Fox Creek can spectate and enjoy some friendly competition. This year they have extended the invitation for all to enter and enjoy what their culture has to offer. Fox Creek also has foreign workers from all parts of the world including Korea, and the Latin American continent. Each small community group brings something unique to our town and adds to our community spirit. 10
Urban Forestry The Town of Fox Creek is surrounded by urban forestry. The amount of land the town itself occupies does not exceed the amount that forestry adds to the overall appearance of the town but also offers multiple benefits throughout the community and surrounding area. In partnership with Alberta Forestry, the Town maintains the tree line areas around town, in the parks and along the walking trails. Campground Road 11
Landscape Parks and Green Spaces The Town of Fox Creek is vastly growing with new and existing parks, and green spaces. Many projects are in the planning process, some being constructed and some finished- all waiting to improve the entire community. Splash Park The Splash Park was opened on June 17, 2014 in the Lions Playground Park which has attracted all ages. The CHAMP team, along with various students at the Fox Creek School, volunteered to add a little art in the park by constructing a cut out mural which is now installed on the filter house in the park. Marnevic Memorial Park Marnevic Memorial Park is our newest playground. Marnevic Construction generously donated the play area to the community in memory of the company s founder, father, and Grandfather Bill DeCiccio. This construction themed playground is in the same area as the new Bike Park, designed and constructed by the Nordic and Trail Club. These two parks will be the most scenic and well landscaped area that Fox Creek has to offer. Oasis Park The Oasis Park is a new addition to the town s floral displays. New trees and flowers have been planted around the pond to add color and vibrancy to the downtown core area. Bike Park Silver Birch Golf Course The Fox Creek Nordic and Trail Club is just finishing up our new bike park located behind Marnevic Park. This first class facility will draw bike enthusiasts from all over the province. 12
Floral Displays Town Beautification The Town Office, Visitor Information Centre, Community Resource Centre, and Fire Hall signs have been recently re-landscaped. The Welcome signs both North and South ends of the town have been redone and will be updated as time goes on. The Town of Fox Creek puts forth a considerable amount of time and effort into town beautification. Every year, the town puts in copious amounts of thought into floral displays and the quality of what is brought in to make our community more vibrant and colorful longer. Hanging Flower Baskets Along Highway Ave and Kaybob Drive, the street lamps are lined with hanging flower baskets that last all summer long. This year, a total of 40 baskets are hanging along the main streets and town buildings which are maintained on a daily basis. Community and Corporate Support In between each lamppost and flower baskets, are picture banners. Each individual photo was taken by community members that submitted their photos for this initiative. This initiative was brought forward by the town s Economic Development Officer last year and has received positive feedback and more attention to the main streets of town. Commercial Court 13
Community Pride Community Facilities The Town of Fox Creek is very sports and recreation oriented this brings many of the neighboring towns and communities into ours for some friendly competition. Our facilities include the Derald Palmer Memorial Arena, the curling rink, 3 baseball diamonds, the Silver Birch Golf Course and Country Club, numerous walking trails (including the Don Nicholson Trail), an outdoor swimming pool, and Smoky Lake, Iosegun Lake and RV campsites. Ball Diamonds 14