Five parks and open green spaces in Worcester have once again been awarded the prestigious Green Flag.
The Green Flag award is the international quality mark for parks and green spaces, and Worcester’s five awards are testament to the dedication and hard work of park volunteers and Worcester City Council staff.
Gheuvelt Park, Fort Royal Park, Cripplegate Park and Riverside Park have maintained their status, along with Astwood Cemetery and Crematorium.
Chair of Worcester City Council’s Environment Committee, Councillor Zoe Cookson, said: “We are delighted that five of our parks have been awarded Green Flag status once again.
“We are so lucky to have such beautiful and well-managed parks in our city for everyone to enjoy all year-round. This is a tribute to the hard work of the City Council’s parks team.”
This year the City Council has been trialling a new national approach to parks and open spaces.
This has included rewilding some grass areas of Fort Royal Park to boost biodiversity in the area, allowing flora and fauna to flourish.
Meanwhile, the grounds at Astwood Crematorium are managed using techniques that promote wildflower growth across the whole site.
Kerry Castle, Chair of the Friends of Fort Royal Park and Commandery Gardens, said: “I’m really proud of the work our volunteers are doing to keep this space nice and put on community events for Worcester.”
Vice-Chair of Worcester City Council’s Environment Committee, Councillor Karen Lewing added: “I’m really pleased that the City Council is investing in our green open spaces.
“It’s recognition of the hard work of lots of people, particularly the community in the area.”
The Green Flag Award scheme is managed by environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy under licence from the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities.
Keep Britain Tidy’s Green Flag Award Scheme Manager, Paul Todd MBE, said: “I would like to congratulate everyone involved in achieving the Green Flag Award.
“We know that staff and volunteers work tirelessly to ensure that the spaces maintain the high standards of the Green Flag Award, everyone involved should feel extremely proud of their achievement.
“It is important that our free to use spaces are maintained to the Green Flag Award standard, making them accessible for all members of the community while ensuring the environment is protected.”
