Parks named among the best in country
QEII Jubilee Gardens, in Bewdley has been
recognised as one of the country's best green spaces with a
prestigious Green Flag Award today (Wednesday July 28, 2010). It is
the third year running the park has picked up the award.
Brinton Park in Kidderminster will also be once again flying a
Green Flag, as it too reached the high standards set out in the
scheme. Both parks are owned and managed by Wyre Forest
District Council.
Green Flag Awards recognise and reward the best parks in the
country. The parks stood out after impressing the judges with
their excellent use of green space, well-maintained facilities and
high standard of safety and security.
An essential element of the criteria is that the local community
is involved with the ongoing development of the park. Support from
the Friends of Brinton Park and Kidderminster College has gone a
long way to securing the award for Wyre Forest District
Council.
Councillor Tracey Onslow, Wyre Forest District Council's Cabinet
Member for Community and Partnership Services said,
"We always aim to keep a high standard in parks in the Wyre
Forest district. We're delighted that the ones we've entered
for a Green Flag award have made the grade. It's a compliment to
our dedicated employees who work hard at the parks and all the
partners who help us ensure our parks are a friendly and welcoming
place for local communities to enjoy."
This year has seen the highest number of awards handed out – a
record 1,200 Green Flags and Green Pennants across the UK compared
to 1,013 in 2009. Green Pennants are awarded to parks or green
spaces managed by a community or voluntary group, and
Broadwaters Park has once again been awarded the Green Pennant –
for the sixth year running - in recognition of the high quality
voluntary works delivered by the Friends of Broadwaters.
Only green spaces that are free to enter and open to the public
are eligible to win an award through the scheme, which is run by
environmental charities Keep Britain Tidy, BTCV and GreenSpace.
Paul Todd, Manager, Green Flag Award Scheme, said:
"It's a remarkable achievement that so many parks have
successfully reached Green Flag Award status this year. The staff
running the parks work very hard throughout the year to ensure
their facilities are maintained to a high standard and enjoyed by
the entire community.
"As the recession bites and people look closer to home to enjoy
the outdoors, the provision of high-quality, free open spaces are
of particular importance."
The awards could not come at a better time as GreenSpace's 'Love
Parks' week takes place between July 24 and August 1, during which
people will be encouraged to enjoy the nation's parks and green
spaces.
Photograph shows (left to right)
Sandra Sharp - Chairman of Friends of Brinton Park, Mike Holmes,
Margaret Holmes - Secretary of Friends of Brinton Park, Joe Scully
Parks and Green Spaces Manager at Wyre Forest District Council,
Tracey Onslow Cabinet Member for Wyre Forest District Council
Community & Partnership Services, David Sharp.
Date of issue - 28th July 2010
