The Friends of Coy Pond volunteer group with their Green Flag Community Award
Poole Park is again celebrating a Green Flag Award this year, being one among 23 BCP Council parks and open spaces that have earned this prestigious award.
And for the second consecutive year Poole Park has also achieved the much-coveted Green Heritage Site Accreditation for the management of its historic features, joining Hengistbury Head and Upton Country Park as the three BCP open spaces enjoying this special accreditation which is supported by Historic England.
Councillor Mark Anderson, Portfolio Holder for Environment, Cleansing and Waste, said: “Yet again, I’m so very proud of our parks and open spaces that have been awarded Green Flags across the BCP area. This is fantastic news for both residents and visitors, as it shows we are maintaining our green spaces to the highest standards, whilst ensuring a legacy for future generations.
“As a council, we continue to recognise that our parks are essential in supporting health and wellbeing, and we remain committed to protecting and enhancing our unique, and biodiverse, natural environment.
“These awards are a credit to our parks and open spaces officers who are passionate about maintaining our green spaces. I would also like to especially thank our dedicated park volunteers for all they do in their local community, working alongside the parks team on everything from litter picking to heathland management and supporting our visitor centres, which is very much appreciated.“
The 23 parks and open spaces maintained by BCP Council that received a Green Flag in 2022 include:
- Upton Country Park
- Hamworthy Park
- Poole Park
- Springbourne Gardens
- Slades Farm
- Queen’s Park
- Tuckton Tea Gardens and Riverlands
- Fisherman’s Walk
- Kinson Common
- Hengistbury Head
- Boscombe Chine Gardens
- Alum Chine including Argyll Gardens
- Stour Valley
- Upper Central and Lower Gardens
- Winton Recreation Ground
- Moore Avenue Community Park
- Pelhams Park
- Redhill Park and Common
- Seafield Gardens
- Boscombe Cliff Gardens and Local Nature Reserve
- Littledown Centre
- Muscliff Park
- North Cemetery
Commenting on the recent announcement, Keep Britain Tidy’s Accreditation Manager, Paul Todd, said: “I would like to congratulate everyone involved in making our parks across the UK worthy of a Green Flag Award. These awards are testament to all the hard work of staff and volunteers, who do so much to ensure that we maintain the high standards demanded by the Green Flag Award.”
Christchurch Quay and Roeshot Hill Allotments in the BCP area also received Green Flag Awards this year. In addition, the Friends of Coy Pond volunteer group (pictured above) were awarded a Green Flag Community Award which celebrates how well a site relates to and encompasses the local and wider community.
The Green Flag Award scheme is managed under license from the UK Government Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities by environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy. It recognises and rewards well-managed parks and green spaces, setting the benchmark standard for their management across the United Kingdom and around the world.