North Tyneside’s award-winning parks have won seven prestigious Green Flags Awards to add to their collection.
Benton Quarry Park, Killingworth Lakeside Park, Northumberland Park, Marden Quarry Park, Wallsend Parks, and the Rising Sun Country Park will keep the Green Flag flying after they retained the awards they won last year.
In addition, the Friends of Brierdene, a residents-led volunteer group who manage their local green space in Whitley Bay, also held on to their prized Green Flag Community Award.
This year’s achievement carries extra significance for staff and visitors at Marden Quarry Park, Whitley Bay, where a 40th anniversary celebration and community barbecue is set to take place on Saturday (July 22).
The coveted Green Flag is a national award which is given out every year to the nation’s most beautiful and well-maintained parks by the charity Keep Britain Tidy.
A record-breaking 1,797 parks and green spaces across the UK received the award this year.
Welcoming the announcement of the awards, Councillor John Stirling, Cabinet Member for the Environment, said: “We are absolutely delighted to see our parks retain their Green Flag status for yet another year.
“We know how much these wonderful green spaces matter to our residents and visitors, and the awards are a testament to the hard work and dedication of our council staff and community.
“Winning the award is one thing, but to keep on winning it year after year is really something special and a great example of partnership working in North Tyneside.”
Visitors to Marden Quarry Park are invited to a double-celebration on Saturday (11am - 1pm) to mark the park's 40th anniversary and Green Flag award. There will be a free barbecue (subject to availability) and a treasure hunt.
Craig Thompson, Park Warden, explained: “The park was converted from an old limestone quarry and reservoir in 1977 and has won numerous awards since.
“Winning the Green Flag again this year is further recognition of all the hard work and dedication that staff and members of the public have put in here over the years.
“This is perhaps the most special one yet as it coincides with our 40th anniversary and the beginning of Love Parks Week, as well as the summer holidays. We’re very proud to have won again.”