Six town parks in Buckinghamshire have been awarded the prestigious Green Flag Award for excellence in parks management – marking them out as some of the best maintained parks in the country.
The successful parks are Vale Park and Bedgrove Park in Aylesbury, Heartlands in Buckingham, the Rye and Hughenden Park in High Wycombe and Higginson Park in Marlow.
The strict judging criteria used to assess the parks included the following:
- A welcoming place
- Healthy, safe and secure
- Well maintained and clean
- Environmental management
- Biodiversity, landscape and heritage
- Community involvement
- Marketing and communication
- Overall management
The Green Flag Award scheme, managed by environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy under licence from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, recognises and rewards well-managed parks and green spaces, setting the benchmark standard for their management across the United Kingdom and around the world.
The winning Buckinghamshire parks are part of more than 2,000 sites across the country to collect the award for 2020.
Clive Harriss, Cabinet Member for Sports and Leisure, said:
“I’m delighted that six of our parks have received this prestigious award. It takes tremendous effort to maintain the high standards required, and I’m grateful to all the staff and contractors involved in helping to keep these parks clean and welcoming to all.
“I also understand how important quality green spaces are to residents and visitors, particularly at the moment, and these awards clearly recognise Buckinghamshire Council’s dedication to providing the best possible green spaces for everyone to enjoy.”
Commenting on Buckinghamshire’s success, Keep Britain Tidy Chief Executive Allison Ogden-Newton OBE said:
“This year, more than ever, our parks and green spaces have been a lifeline and we know that millions of people have used them to relax, meet friends, exercise or simply escape for a short time.
“It is testament to the incredible dedication and hard work of parks staff and volunteers that, despite the challenges that went along with record numbers of visitors, six parks in Buckinghamshire have achieved the highest international standards demanded by the Green Flag Award.”
A full list of parks, green spaces and play areas that are managed and maintained by Buckinghamshire Council can be viewed on our Parks and Green Spaces page.
