North Tyneside’s parks and green spaces have once again been recognised among the finest in the country.
The Rising Sun Country Park, Benton Quarry, Marden Quarry, Killingworth Lakeside Parks, Wallsend Parks, Northumberland Park, and Preston Cemetery have been honoured with a prestigious Green Flag Award from Keep Britain Tidy.
Northumberland Park performed especially well, achieving the maximum score possible from judges.
The Friends of Brierdene won the Green Flag Award Community Award for the work they do to maintain the Brierdene Wildlife Site in Whitley Bay.
The award is the international benchmark of quality in a park or open green space and is given out each year to parks which meet the very highest standards.
The achievement underscores North Tyneside Council's commitment to providing residents and visitors with top-quality parks and open spaces, and the authority has now picked up 86 Green Flag awards since 2005.
Cllr Hannah Johnson, Cabinet Member for the Environment, said: “We are immensely proud of our parks and green spaces here in North Tyneside, so to see them receiving these Green Flag awards is fantastic.
“These awards are testament to the work done by the teams in maintaining the parks, and the local communities in each area who make the parks what they are; fantastic green spaces bringing people together, hosting events for people of all ages and providing opportunities to lead healthy lifestyles.
“I’d like to say a massive thank you to everyone involved in these awards. This wouldn’t be possible without everything you do.”
Keep Britain Tidy’s Green Flag Award Scheme Manager, Paul Todd MBE, said: “I would like to congratulate everyone involved in North Tyneside on achieving these Green Flag Awards.
“These are vital green spaces for communities in North Tyneside to socialise, enjoy nature, for children to play safely and it provides important opportunities for park users to improve their physical and mental health.
“We know that staff and volunteers work tirelessly to ensure that it maintains 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.”
The Green Flag Award scheme, managed by environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy under licence from the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, recognises and rewards well-managed parks and green spaces, setting the benchmark standard for the management of green spaces across the United Kingdom and around the world.
ENDS
