Civic pride is blooming in Bexley, Ohio, now that the city has received an award for its landscaped areas, taking second overall in its category in the America in Bloom program.
Awards were announced Oct. 2 at the seventh annual America in Bloom Awards Program at the Hyatt on Capitol Square in Columbus.
America in Bloom is a nonprofit organization that encourages national beautification programs and community involvement.
In its first year of participation in the America in Bloom program, Bexley received the Project EverGreen Landscaped Areas Award and took second place in the overall competition out of six cities of comparable size.
"Bexley did just amazingly well for its first year," said Laura Kunkle, a communications representative for America in Bloom.
First place went to the city of Greendale, Wis.
Thirty cities were eligible for nomination this year, according to Kunkle.
Two judges were tapped to visit each area and write a report based on observations and ways the city can improve its green spaces.
The competition focuses on eight criteria: floral displays, environmental awareness, landscaped areas, tidiness, urban forestry, heritage preservation, turf and groundcovers and community involvement.
Bexley placed at the top of the list for landscaped areas and received the award sponsored by Project EverGreen, a nonprofit organization that promotes the preservation and enhancement of green spaces in communities, for its innovative use of plants and landscape materials. Other factors included the overall design and suitability, the use of native plant materials, a balance of plant material and constructed elements, the integration of art elements and a high standard of maintenance, according to the program's Web site.
The nominations for the America in Bloom program were submitted in late July. Winners were also selected in July, but announced Oct. 2 as part of the awards event.
Other Ohio competitors in the same population category of 10,000 to 15,000 included Ironton and Tipp City.
Ironton won the Ball Horticultural Company Floral Displays award and Tipp City took home the SafeLawns Turf & Groundcover Areas Award.