Business
Local Garden Receives “Canada 150 Garden Experience” Designation

From left to right Alexander Reford (President of Canadian Garden Council), Gloria Beck- Owner of Parkland Nurseries & Garden Centre, Bill Hardy (CNLA-Canadian Nursery Landscape Association Rep.
It’s great to see Parkland Nurseries and Garden Centre featured with some of the great gardens in our country. The business is the proud recipient of a a ‘Canada 150 Garden Experience’ designation, awarded by the Canadian Garden Council in collaboration with the Canadian Nursery Landscape Association.
In celebration of Canada’s sesquicentennial, 150 gardens and garden experiences across the country were jury-selected to receive the ‘Canada 150 Garden Experience’ designation – highlighting Parkland Nurseries & Garden as one of 150 garden ways to celebrate Canada’s birthday year.
Gardens define our Canadian aesthetic
At the awards ceremony, held in March of this year at the North American Garden Tourism Conference in Toronto, Alexander Reford, President of the Canadian Garden Council said, “Canada has a long-standing garden culture. From First Nations gardens that were here long before settlers arrived, to the enormous variety of gardens that every culture has brought to this country since Confederation, gardens from modest kitchen and community gardens to celebrated botanical and public gardens – have played a role in defining and developing our Canadian aesthetic and quality of life.”
“This award is an extremely exciting “recognition” for our business. The “Parkland team” has worked extremely hard to find interesting plants and products to showcase in our gardens. Many people have wandered our gardens finding peace and comfort as well as unique plants to grow in their gardens. We look forward in celebrating Canada’s 150th with our visitors.” –Gloria Beck
To view the full list of ‘Canada 150 Garden Experience’ designation winners, visit the Canada’s Garden Route website CLICK HERE
As the 2017 garden-visiting season commences, we at Parkland Nurseries & Garden Centre can’t think of a better honour with which to celebrate the birthday of Our Home and Native Land than being named a ‘Canada 150 Garden Experience’.
City of Red Deer
Council boosting budget for Downtown Business Association

Council approves 2024 DBA budget, increased investment in events
“The DBA remains steadfast in its objective to build on the growth seen in 2023. The collaboration between The City of Red and the DBA is at all time high and with the pending actions set to be delivered through the Downtown Activation Playbook, I know there are many great things to come that will support our business community and create the thriving downtown we all want to experience,” said Amanda Gould, DBA Executive Director.
“Today Council demonstrated their commitment to their strategic priorities with the support shown to the DBA through unanimous support of the 2024 budget. This mighty Association continues to do great work on a shoestring budget and the 2024 Board of Directors are keen to lend their expertise and entrepreneurial skills to benefit the downtown in its entirety.”
Brandon Bouchard, DBA Board Chair
The DBA’s budget is partially funded through the BIA tax levy, which is collected by The City of Red Deer. Each year, the DBA presents its proposed budget to Council for their consideration. When reviewing the budget, Council considers alignment between the DBA’s downtown priorities and City’s community priorities.
“DBA has constantly hit far above its weight in our downtown, I can’t think of a more supportive messenger of promotion than the team at the DBA, it’s so encouraging to see this strong support for our downtown,” said Mayor Ken Johnston. “I’m encouraged by the leadership and direction of the DBA and look forward to what they have in store for 2024. They continually bring positive initiatives to the downtown even with the constraint on finances.”
The DBA’s total approved budget for 2024 is $775,160, with $277,725 funded through the BIA with the remaining amount funded through items such as grants and contracts. The BIA portion for 2024 is an increase of five per cent from 2023.
The Downtown Business Association has been operating in Red Deer for more than 30 years, serving approximately 350 business owners in the Downtown area. Through partnerships and leadership in advocacy and promotion, the DBA is the catalyst for a vibrant and prosperous downtown that is the place to live, work, play and do business.
Red Deer
What’s Happening Downtown: Holiday Edition!

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