A Bright Tradition Returns: The Sunflower Showdown! 🌻
April 16, 2025 | By Park Place Seniors Living |
This spring, we’re bringing back a much-loved tradition that has long brought joy, community spirit, and a touch of healthy rivalry to our Park Place Seniors Living communities—the Sunflower Showdown!
This cheerful initiative was first introduced years ago by the wonderful Louise Johnson, a valued retired member of the Park Place team. Though it was temporarily paused due to the pandemic, the time has finally come to relaunch the program across all 41 of our homes—and we couldn’t be more excited!
🌱 Rooted in Joy, Growing with Purpose
Beginning May 15, 2025, each Park Place home will receive a sunflower starter kit complete with seeds and resources to help kick off their growing journey. But this isn’t just about planting flowers—it’s about fostering connection, sparking creativity, and encouraging teamwork between residents and staff.
Each community will be encouraged to involve residents in every step of the process—from planting and watering to tracking progress and creating sunflower-inspired projects.
🏆 The Contest Categories
Throughout the summer, homes will compete in four exciting categories:
- Tallest Sunflower – For the biggest bloomers!
- Most Vibrant Blooms – Celebrating the healthiest, most eye-catching flowers.
- Best Resident Engagement – For communities that go above and beyond to involve residents.
- Grand Prize – Best Overall – Recognizing the home that shines in every way!
Every participating site will receive a Certificate of Appreciation—because every effort to bring joy deserves to be recognized.
🌻 The Meaning Behind the Sunflowers
Sue Priest, Site Leader at Benevolence Care Centre in Edmonton, has been researching the impact of sunflowers and gardening in senior living, and her findings are nothing short of inspiring:
- Sunflowers are symbols of hope, happiness, and resilience. They turn toward the light—just like we do.
- Gardening supports mental and emotional wellness, helping reduce stress and boost mood.
- Physical engagement with plants enhances mobility and sensory stimulation, contributing to a sense of purpose and joy.
- Residents often feel more connected and fulfilled when they participate in hands-on group activities like this one.
📱 Follow the Blooming Journey
Our homes will be sharing their sunflower stories online throughout the season using the hashtag #PPSLSunflowers2025. You can follow along and show your support by liking, commenting, or sharing their posts.
Look out for fun and creative updates such as:
- “Meet the Sunflowers” – Yes, some blooms might even get names!
- Behind-the-scenes moments from planting days
- Resident interviews, art projects, or poetry inspired by sunflowers
- Mini contests like “Best Sunflower Selfie”
🌼 A Message to Our Communities
A quote that perfectly reflects the spirit of this program comes from a sunflower factsheet we love:
“May you be proud of the work that you do, the person you are, and the difference that you make.”
At Park Place, we know it’s the little things—like nurturing a seed with care or sharing a laugh in the garden—that make a big difference in the lives of our residents.
So here’s to a summer full of sunshine, smiles, and stunning sunflowers. Let’s grow together!
Stay connected. Stay blooming. #PPSLSunflowers2025
