By Leah Hendry

Hey, Winnipeggers, in case you haven't noticed we live in one lovely city.

The judges in this year's Communities in Bloom contest yesterday dubbed the city No. 1 for civic beauty in the over 300,000 population category.

"This is a real testament to the people of Winnipeg," said a clearly pumped Tom Ethans, executive director of Take Pride Winnipeg, upon hearing the news.

"It shows we are a community that works together to make the city clean and beautiful."

The judges, one from Ottawa and another from Brussels, toured Winnipeg last month to evaluate the city's overall tidiness, urban forestry, landscapes and floral displays as well as its environmental and heritage conservation efforts.

This is Winnipeg's second win in the seven years of the competition so far the city also won in 1995. This year's competitors in the over 300,000population category were Edmonton, Halifax, Montreal and Laval, Que.

"People, plants and pride grow together," said Don Budinsky, the city's manager of parks and open space. "The judges recognized that we are a community of communities. There are so many neighbourhood groups from schools to the Business Improvement Zone who are working to make Winnipeg a better place to live.

"The "May I Help" campaign to clean up litter around the city, recycle and remove graffiti drew close to 30,000 volunteers, many of them schoolchildren. The Business Improvement Zone's urban green team has been a model for other cities across Canada. But what pushed Winnipeg over the top?

Budinsky points to the development of Assiniboine Park's pavilion, museum and Lyric stage, which has enhanced the cultural celebrations that go on at the park throughout the year. Kildonan Park and The Forks were also highlights.

"Parks are the places we celebrate our lives," Budinksy said.

The judges were impressed with the extensive gardens in Wolseley and the zeal of some residents who turn their boulevards into forests of plants and flowers. The tour also included a visit to the Legislative Building ground sand an interpretive river tour to see what the city has done to stabilize the riverbanks and make the river more accessible to the public.

But don't think Winnipeg will just rest on its laurels now that it has won.

"Getting five blooms is kind of like being a five-star restaurant or hotel," said Budinsky. "You don't want to slip back to a three or a four. We will continue to develop and improve to maintain that high rating.