Buckinghamshire Country Parks recognised among UK's best parks
Date: 28-07-2010
Black Park and Langley Park will be officially recognised as two of the country’s best green spaces with prestigious Green Flag Awards today (July 28 2010).
Green Flag Awards recognise and reward the best parks in the country. Black Park and Langley Park stood out after impressing the judges with their excellent use of green space, well-maintained facilities and high standard of safety and security.
Only green spaces that the public can enter free of charge are eligible to win an award through the scheme, run by environmental charities Keep Britain Tidy, BTCV (British Trust for Conservation Volunteers) and GreenSpace.
This year has seen the highest number of awards handed out – a record 1200 Green Flags and Green Pennants across the UK compared to 1,013 in 2009. Green Pennants are awarded to parks or green spaces managed by a community or voluntary group.
Paul Todd, Manager, Green Flag Award Scheme, said:
“It’s a remarkable achievement that so many parks have successfully reached Green Flag Award status this year. The staff running the parks work very hard throughout the year to ensure their facilities are maintained to a high standard and enjoyed by the entire community.
“As the recession bites and people look closer to home to enjoy the outdoors, the provision of high-quality, free open spaces is of particular importance.”
Martin Tett, Cabinet Member for Planning and Environment, Buckinghamshire County Council said:
“It is great to see these two parks receive the recognition they deserve – it is testament to the hard work of the Country Parks team who ensure that the parks maintain these high standards throughout the year.
“These awards coupled with the improved facilities at Black Park and the £3.1m Heritage Lottery Funded restoration of Langley Park will undoubtedly encourage more people to visit these outstanding sites.”
The awards could not come at a better time as GreenSpace’s ‘Love Parks’ week takes place between July 24 and August 1, during which people will be encouraged to enjoy the nation’s parks and green spaces.
