North Tyneside’s parks and green spaces have once again been recognised among the best in the country.
Benton Quarry Park, Killingworth Lakeside Park, Northumberland Park, Preston Cemetery, The Rising Sun Country Park, and Wallsend Parks have retained their Green Flag Awards – the international quality mark for parks and green spaces.
The awards celebrate the best-managed parks across the UK and beyond, which set the benchmark for others to follow.
This year’s success recognises the hard work of the staff and volunteers who maintain the borough’s green spaces throughout the year.
Councillor Hannah Johnson, Cabinet Member for the Environment, said: “It’s fantastic to see our parks and green spaces receiving these awards once again. They play such an important role in our communities, giving people places to relax, exercise, spend time in nature, and come together for events and activities.
“These awards are down to the hard work of our staff, volunteers, and friends groups who look after these spaces so well. I want to thank them all for everything they do to keep our parks looking their best for residents and visitors to enjoy.”
The sites are among 2,250 in the UK to achieve the award.
Green Flag Award Scheme Manager, Paul Todd MBE, said: “Congratulations to everyone involved in North Tyneside who has worked tirelessly to ensure that it achieves the high standards required for the Green Flag Award.
“Quality parks and green spaces like those in North Tyneside make the country a heathier place to live and work in, and a stronger place in which to invest.
“Crucially, these are vital green spaces for local people to enjoy nature, and during the ongoing cost of living crisis, they are free and safe spaces where families can socialise. They also provide important opportunities for local people and visitors to reap the physical and mental health benefits of green spaces.”
The Green Flag Award scheme, managed by environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy under licence from the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government, 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.