We’re delighted to share the news that we have achieved Green Flag Awards 2021 for four of our city centre parks in a record-breaking year for the scheme, which is marking its Silver Jubilee this year.
Jesmond Dene has retained its award for the 8th consecutive year, Walker Park for the 5th consecutive year, and Exhibition Park and Leazes Park each for a 2nd year.
A Green Flag Award is an international mark of quality for parks and green spaces and reflects the incredible standard of these city centre parks. After another year that saw our parks and green spaces play a vital role for people through lockdowns as a place to relax, exercise and meet friends and family safely, these Green Flag Awards are a testament to the hard work and dedication of our amazing staff. We also owe thanks to our local Friends Of Groups and members of the public who continued to volunteer through the pandemic to keep Newcastle’s green spaces clean and tidy.
Barbara Hooper, our Director of Parks & Allotments, said:
“We’re delighted to have maintained Green Flag Awards for four of our fantastic parks in the city centre. The Green Flag Awards are a sign of how well kept the parks are and we’re working hard with the aim that all 33 of our parks across Newcastle will have a Green Flag Award over the next ten years. It’s a huge ambition, but one we’re confident we can achieve with the support of our amazing team and our wonderful partners.
The fact that we have maintained our Green Flag Award status for all four of these parks, despite the ongoing impact of the pandemic, is a testament to the hard work of our committed ranger team and volunteers. We want to say a big thank you to them all. We look forward to working together to achieve even more success over the coming years.”
Commenting on the news, Green Flag Award Scheme Manager, Paul Todd, said:
“I would like to congratulate everyone involved in making these four fantastic sites worthy of Green Flag Awards 2021.
To meet the requirements demanded by the scheme is testament to the hard work of the staff and volunteers. They do so much to ensure that these parks have high standards of horticulture, safety and environmental management. An to ensure they are places that supports people to live healthy lives.”
The Green Flag Award scheme is managed by environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy under licence from the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities. The scheme recognises and rewards well-managed parks and green spaces, setting the benchmark standard for the management of green spaces across the UK and around the world.
In celebration of this year’s announcement, Green Flag Award is asking buildings and monuments around the UK to #GoGreenForParks today to show appreciation for the spaces that mean so much to people.