City parks and green spaces hit the heights once again

Seven parks across Leeds are celebrating this month after receiving a prestigious green award.

Recognising the very best green spaces across the United Kingdom, Otley Chevin, Pudsey Park, Golden Acre Park, Kirkstall Abbey, Roundhay Park, Temple Newsam estate and Middleton Park were awarded Green Flag status and once again feature on the national list of quality open spaces.

Also receiving a Community Green Flag Award includes Allerton Grange Fields, which is maintained through the hard work of volunteers from the Friends of Allerton Grange Fields and Leeds City Council’s Parks and Countryside team.

Launched in 1996, Green Flags were first awarded to recognise the best green spaces and parks across the UK in 1997. Potential sites for a Green Flag Award are judged on the following criteria; a welcoming place, healthy, safe and secure, clean and well maintained, sustainability, conservation and heritage, community involvement, marketing and management.

Leeds City Council’s executive board member for communities Councillor Debra Coupar said:

“We are extremely fortunate to have some outstanding parks and green spaces in Leeds and it is fantastic news that seven of our parks retained Green Flag status and made the national list of quality open spaces this year which is a truly superb achievement.

“Massive congratulations also to everyone who played their part in helping Allerton Grange Fields also secure a Community Green Flag Award, and I would like to pay tribute to the tremendous hard work and dedication of all of our Parks and Countryside staff and countless volunteers who are the main reason why we are able to celebrate this amazing success today. As a recognition of their efforts it was great to be able to take one of our truly dedicated gardeners, Alistair Muir, with me to collect the awards on behalf of the city.”

Notes to editors:

For more information on the Green Flag Awards, please see: http://www.greenflagaward.org.uk/

For media enquiries, please contact;

Colin Dickinson, Leeds City Council press office, (0113) 39 51578

Email: colin.dickinson@leeds.gov.uk