A total of 1,970
parks and green spaces have received the prestigious Green Flag Award.
The international
Award, now in its third decade, is a sign to the public that the space boasts
the highest possible environmental standards, is beautifully maintained and has
good visitor facilities.
Parks and green
spaces receiving the Award this year include first time winner Venetian
Waterways managed by Great Yarmouth Borough Council and Worden Park managed by
South Ribble Borough Council that has won the Award every year since the scheme
made its first Awards in 1997.
Green Flag Award
scheme manager Paul Todd said: “It’s fantastic that we have more Green Flag
Awards in the UK than ever before, joined this year by 126 international
winners.
“Each flag honours
the thousands of staff and volunteers who work tirelessly to maintain the high
standards demanded by the Green Flag Award. We congratulate each and every
winner on their fantastic achievement.”
The Green Flag Award
scheme reached a record breaking 2,096 accredited parks and green spaces across
14 countries and spanning 4 continents - more than any other parks
accreditation scheme in the world
A total of 126 of
these are accredited parks and green spaces from outside the UK, marking
a huge 25% increase as the Award establishes a worldwide reputation.
New Northern
Hemisphere winners were today added from Belgium, Finland, Spain and
Republic of Ireland, whilst several Southern Hemisphere countries such as
Australia and New Zealand have current winners that are judged for their Summer
season and announced later in the year.
Originating in
England in 1996, the growth seen since the scheme went international 10 years
ago, is testament to its success across the UK, where the scheme
maintains a strong reputation as the recognised standard for well managed parks
and green spaces.
