Streetscape Mississauga, in partnership with the City of Mississauga and four local horticultural societies, launches its annual citywide garden contest by introducing a new residential class for alternative gardens and a contest for small businesses.

“Streetscape Mississauga encourages residents and small businesses to practice environmental responsibility and beautification in our neighbourhoods,” said Laura Piette, Director Parks & Forestry for the City of Mississauga. “Together with our partners, we are cultivating a Living Green community.”

"We are delighted to be offering new contest features this year and we’re hoping for a record-breaking number of entries," said Streetscape Co-Chair, Maureen Ricker. "The Alternative Gardens class recognizes residents who demonstrate environmental stewardship in their gardens, and the Small Business contest acknowledges the important role the business sector plays in greening and beautifying our neighbourhoods. Individually, we can each make a difference." 

Residential Contest Details – May 14 to June 15, 2012
The contest is open to all Mississauga residents and is limited to front gardens. There are four garden classes for 2012:

·Traditional large gardens: frontage 51 ft. (15.5 metres) or larger
·Traditional small gardens: frontage 50 ft. (15.2 metres) or smaller
·Traditional townhouse gardens: any size
·NEW - Alternative gardens (environmentally conscious gardening): any size

Gardens will be judged by volunteers from local horticultural societies, and will be evaluated on visual appeal, overall design, general maintenance and originality. Judging will start June 22 and continue to early August. Prizes will be awarded to the top three gardens in each class: large garden, small garden, townhouse and alternative garden.

NEW Small Business Contest Details – June 1 to June 29, 2012
The contest is open to all small businesses in Mississauga with 25 employees or fewer. There are two garden classes:

·Inground gardens
·Container gardens

Preliminary judging will be done from digital photographs submitted by entrants. Final judging of the best 3 - 5 displays in each class will be done on site, in early August, by members of the City's four horticultural societies.

How to Enter
The residential contest entry period is from May 14 - June 15, 2012 and the small business contest is from June 1 – June 29, 2012. Winners will be notified in mid-August. For contest rules or to enter online, visit www.mississauga.ca/streetscape.

Background
Streetscape Mississauga was established as a working partnership between the City of Mississauga and the city's four horticultural societies. It was introduced in 2009, as a component of Mississauga In Bloom, and is now an independent program. Created and delivered entirely by volunteers, with City staff support, the contest has been an unqualified success, with new classes and new features added each year.

For complete more information or contest rules about Streetscape Mississauga 2012, visit www.mississauga.ca/streetscape or call 3-1-1 or 905-615-4311 outside city limits.

As Canada's sixth largest city, Mississauga is home to 738,000 residents and 55,000 businesses, including 63 Fortune 500 companies with Canadian head offices or major divisional head offices. A diverse, progressive and award-winning municipality located on the shores of Lake Ontario in the heart of the Greater Toronto Area, Mississauga is "Leading Today for Tomorrow" by focussing on delivering services, implementing its Strategic Plan, delivering value for money and maintaining infrastructure.

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