April 1
Judge Registration and Nominations forms open
June 15
Judge Registration and Nominations forms close
June 19
Online training for Volunteer Judges
June 20
Judges and Ward Coaches Meet and Greet
June 24 to July 14
White Trillium Judging
July 19 to August 4
White Awards Delivered & Pink Trillium Judging
August 5 to August 9
Pink Trillium Photos
August 9 to August 21
Red Trillium Judging
August 29
Red Judges Panel
October
Event Celebration
Trillium Committee
Nominations & Judge Registrations
Hamilton Trillium Award Nominations & Judges Registrations are open April 1 to June 15.
The Trillium Awards Program, formally called The Hamilton Beautification Awards Program, was established in 1956. The program promotes and encourages community pride through the recognition of excellence in landscape design, maintenance and effort to beautify properties making a positive contribution to the City of Hamilton. Review Trillium Award Winners
Trillium Award Categories
White Level
Nominated gardens in the City are judged and the top 20 scored gardens in each ward is awarded with a White Trillium Award.
Pink Level
Gardens awarded with a White Trillium Award are judged and the top score in each ward is awarded with a Pink Trillium Award.
Red Trillium Award
The most prestigious horticultural award in Hamilton. All gardens that are awarded a Pink Trillium are judged by an appointed panel, including the chair of the Trillium Awards Committee, the Red Trillium winner from the previous year and several experts in the field of horticulture.
The Red Award category will be judged in person and virtually through an expert panel discussion. Red judges are appointed by City of Hamilton staff and will consist of 8-10 panelists. Panelists will review professional Pink photos collectively online to support discussion to determine a Red winner. Red judges can view properties in person on their own time in advance of the virtual judging session.
Red Trillium Award winners are not eligible for any Trillium awards (white, pink or red) for 5 subsequent years. If the property ownership changes, the new owner must apply in writing (via the committee) to be eligible for judging before the 5-year period is finished. This policy came into effect in 2015.
Judging Townhouse Complexes
Complexes must be on a public laneway to be judged, or must be an outside unit facing onto a public sidewalk or road. If you're complex does not receive municipal waste services then you are on a private laneway and cannot be judged.
Community Trillium Award
Formally known as the Awards of Excellence Corporate Program
Community Trillium Awards can be awarded to industrial, commercial, institutional, small businesses, churches, schools, community centres, apartment buildings, condominium complexes and multi-residential properties across the City of Hamilton. Community Trillium Awards enhance residents’ pride and sense of community through revitalization, restoration, and regeneration. There are up to two Community Trillium Awards presented in each Ward.
Residents can nominate their own property or other properties they feel would be worthy of being recognized with a Community Trillium Award.
Awards for Ancaster Residents
The Ancaster Horticultural Society operates a Ward 12 specific program and have confirmed that their program is running this year. If your garden is located in Ancaster, check your local Horticultural Societies for information on the Trillium Awards program. Visit the Ancaster Horticultural Society
Judging Criteria
The Trillium Awards program promotes community pride by recognizing residents who by landscaping and maintaining their property, contribute to a more attractive neighbourhood and community. Not just residential properties can be awarded a Trillium Award, but commercial properties can be recognized with an Community Trillium Award.
Volunteer judges will review nominated gardens in each ward and use the following judging criteria to score them.
Committee Members
Executive Committee Members
- Ann Cochren - Committee Chair
- Pat Gowan
- Brenda Accadia
- Yasmeen Minocher
- John Kolibash
- Guy McPhee
- Theresa Phair - Staff Liaison
Committee Volunteer Member Recruitment
We’re looking for New Committee Members. There are new and exciting committee positions, roles and responsibilities.
If you are interested in applying to be a committee member, email your resume or letter of interest, with your name and contact information to trilliumawards@hamilton.ca.
Download Committee Volunteer Position Description
The Hamilton Trillium Awards Executive Committee is responsible for the execution and successful operations of the Trillium Awards Program. With the support of the Community Liaison Coordinator, the committee members carry out the goals and objectives of the committee.
The role the volunteer committee plays is important to the success of the Trillium Awards Program. The success of the committee depends on the contributions made by each of its members. All volunteer members are encouraged to play an active role in the Trillium Awards Program by following guidelines and procedures, attending committee meetings, and offering thoughts and recommendations to improve the program. The volunteer committee has the authority to decide and act as a group, but not as individual members.
The Committee reports directly to the Community Liaison Coordinator who offers assistance to the operation of the program and is responsible for volunteer management. The Community Liaison Coordinator liaises with City Staff to advance and contribute to the Trillium Awards Program while maintaining open lines of communication. The Community Liaison Coordinator is responsible for the budget and facilitating adherence to any City policies and procedures that affect the Trillium Awards Program.
Committee Chair Description of Activities
The responsibilities of the Committee Chair include:
- Works collectively with the Community Liaison Coordinator to ensure the overall operation and success of the Hamilton Trillium Awards Program.
- Consults with Community Liaison Coordinator and other key members of the Trillium Awards Committee in planning the committee’s agendas and the framework of the committee’s responsibilities.
- Maintains the group’s focus, stimulating group thinking, encouraging and channelling discussions, weighing the value of the expressed ideas and suggestions, summarizing constructive suggestions and seeking out decisions.
- Defines expectations of the committee’s work; providing appropriate information, training and follow up.
- Contributes to the Trillium Awards Framework as a guideline to execute the Trillium Awards Program.
In conjunction with the Community Liaison Coordinator, acting as spokespersons for the Trillium Awards Program and dealing with community inquiries and concerns as they arise.
Vice Chair Description of Activities
The responsibilities of the Vice Chair include:
- Accessing the position as a training opportunity as part of the succession of office of the committee and assuming all duties and responsibilities of the Chair upon his/her absence(s).
- Assist with the recruiting and training of volunteer committee members as well as volunteer judges.
- Oversees the Community Trillium Awards and assignments.
- Helps to oversee other committee roles and assists in the Trillium Judges Training Materials.
Secretary Description of Activities
The responsibilities of the Secretary include:
- Maintaining records and information of the committee.
- Ensuring accurate minutes are kept, motions recorded, necessary reports are prepared, and that a record of the committee work is maintained.
- Communicating changes needed to any documents.
Volunteer Recruitment Coordinator Description of Activities
The responsibilities of the Volunteer Recruitment Coordinator include:
- Being responsible for the overall volunteer recruitment and retention plan.
- Assisting in the active recruitment of volunteer judges, training and preparation of volunteers.
- Maintaining an active list of all volunteers and prepares follow up and appreciation letters for volunteer judges.
- Works with the Community Liaison Coordinator in maintaining all data related to volunteers, including volunteer registration forms, waivers, data lists, etc.
- Liaising with outside groups i.e. Horticultural Societies to recruit volunteers.
Mapping Coordinator and Garden Assignments Description of Activities
The responsibilities of the Mapping Coordinator include:
- Assigns mapped gardens for the volunteer judges.
- Reviews, updates and prepares the judges’ packages.
- Support the development of surveys, reviews survey results and comments at the end of the year to make necessary changes/updates and recommendations.
Ward Coaches / Pink Judges Coordinator Description of Activities
The responsibilities of the Ward Coach / Pink Judge Coordinator include:
- Recruiting, training and preparing the Ward Coaches / Pink Trillium Judges.
- Acts as a “coach” and responding to Ward Coaches questions and concerns.
- Support Ward Coaches with deliveries of White winning Awards, reviewing and scoring top 20 White winning gardens to determine Pink Award winners.
- Support Ward Coaches with deliveries Pink Award to winner.
- Administer, support and receive Public Notification / Photo Permission Forms for Winning Pink Gardens.
- Assuming responsibilities for any follow-up needed for maintaining deadlines to ensure the successful completion of the Pink Trillium Awards.
In House Photographer and Promotions Description of Activities
The responsibilities of the in-house photographer include:
- Administer Photo permission forms, email completed forms with photos for filing.
- Take photographs of all the winning Pink gardens and Red garden.
- Take photos of committee members and volunteers in action.
- Take photos of Red winning presentation.
- Take photos at Celebration Event.
- Encourage team Promotion of the Trillium Awards via social networking such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and free print media (newspaper, pamphlets, flyers, magazines, etc.)
Community Trillium Awards Coordinator
The responsibilities of the Community Trillium Award Coordinator include:
- Ensuring there are at least 2 viable nominations for each ward.
- Recruitment of volunteers for judging and awarding winners.
- Liaison with City staff and Chair of the Committee.
- Review nomination data and assign wards.
- Deliver Community Trillium Awards.
- Provide final list of winners.