Sweet sixteen!
Liverpool has been awarded a record number of Green Flags for its outstanding parks and gardens.
Sixteen of Liverpool’s green spaces have been recognised as some of the finest in the country and awarded the national accolade by Keep Britain Tidy, Green Space and BTCV (British Trust for Conservation Volunteers).
And for the first time, Otterspool Park and Larkhill Gardens are among the winners, meaning Liverpool has one of the highest number of Green Flags in the UK.
Liverpool City Council’s executive member for the environment, Councillor Berni Turner, said: “This is fantastic news – we entered 16 parks and all 16 scooped the top prize so I’m delighted.
“It’s especially great news considering we are more than half way through our Year of the Environment, and one of our main aims is to get people out and about in their local parks. Hopefully, people will want to spend even more time outdoors knowing that our green spaces have been nationally recognised for their excellence.
“This week is national ‘Love Parks’ week which encourages everyone to enjoy the UK’s green spaces.
“The awards are a real credit to everyone involved from the parks and environment department, the gardeners from Glendale Liverpool, Friends of Groups right through to local residents and community groups.”
To celebrate the achievement, Councillor Berni Turner will join representatives from various ‘Friends Groups’ tomorrow (22 July) at Otterspool Park, the latest park to be awarded a Green Flag.
The sixteen winning parks are:
Otterspool Park
Larkhill Gardens
Calderstones Park
Devonfield Garden
Everton Park Nature Garden
Falkner Square
Greenbank Park
Our Lady and St Nicholas Church Garden
Springwood Crematorium Memorial Gardens
Reynolds Park
St John’s Gardens
Woolton Woods and Camphill
Belle Vale Park
Anfield Crematorium Memorial Garden
Croxteth Park
Doric Park
The parks and gardens must meet demanding criteria which includes conservation and heritage, community involvement, excellent facilities, good signage, healthy, safety, security and it must be a welcoming place.
Phil Barton chief executive of Keep Britain Tidy, said: “I would like to congratulate Liverpool, who have worked hard throughout the year to keep their parks to a high standard and ensure they are pleasant and enjoyable spaces for the whole community.”
The official Green Flag award presentation will be made on Wednesday 22 July in Bournemouth by TV presenter Michaela Strachan, and representatives from Liverpool Parks Friends Groups will be there to accept the Flags.
