Prestigious awards raise the flag for Wychavon’s parks

Five popular parks in Wychavon have been recognised once again by the prestigious Green Flag Award Scheme as some of the best in the United Kingdom.

Abbey Park and Workman/Waterside Gardens in Evesham, Vines Park and Lido Park/St Peter’s Fields in Droitwich Spa, and Abbey Park in Pershore all received Green Flag status.

The international award, now into its third decade, is a sign to the public that the greenspace boasts the highest possible environmental standards, is beautifully maintained and has excellent visitor facilities.

The Wychavon parks are among a record-breaking 1,883 UK parks and green spaces to be chosen for their welcoming, safe and clean environment, as well as their quality management, marketing, conservation and community involvement.

Applying for the first time in 2005, Wychavon were successful with a Green Flag for Abbey Park in Evesham and have kept the award for this park every year since.

This was followed two years later by Workman/Waterside Gardens in Evesham, next was Abbey Park in Pershore, then Lido Park/St Peters Fields in Droitwich Spa. Finally in 2013/14 Vines Park, Droitwich Spa was added and for the last six years the council has retained the Green Flag Award for all five main parks.

The award is valid for one year only and if a park/green space is to maintain its green flag it must re-apply annually.

Councillor Emma Stokes, portfolio holder for environment and street scene at Wychavon, said: “We are absolutely delighted to retain the Green Flag Awards in our five main parks. Gaining the award is a challenge, but retaining it year-on-year is not an easy task so my thanks go to all those who work so hard to ensure this happens – both at Wychavon and at our contractors, Continental Landscapes Limited. We know how much quality green spaces matter to residents and visitors and we know our residents, like us, value our parks and open spaces.”

Lynn Stevens, Senior Parks and Open Spaces Officer at Wychavon, said: “It’s fantastic that we have been able to maintain our Green Flag status in these five parks. Our parks and open spaces are really important to us as we know they are valued by our residents and visitors. Our work never stands still, all the time we try to get better and better and we will continue to work hard to increase the standards in all our parks".

Paul Todd, International Green Flag Award Scheme Manager, said: “We are delighted to be celebrating another record-breaking year for the Green Flag Award scheme, with more Green Flags awarded this year than last year. Each flag honours the thousands of staff and volunteers who work tirelessly to maintain the high standards demanded by the Green Flag Award. We are proud to have so many wonderful green spaces in the UK for people to enjoy, and hope that next year, we award even more flags.”