Beloved local parks retain prestigious Green Flag Awards

Rickmansworth Aquadrome and Leavesden Country Park have received the award, which is judged by green space experts. The Green Flag Award scheme recognises and rewards well managed parks and green spaces, setting the benchmark standard for the management of recreational outdoor spaces across the UK and around the world.

In addition, Leavesden Country Park has retained its Green Heritage Site Accreditation – which it has held since 2021. Green Heritage Site Accreditation, supported by Historic England, is given in recognition of achieving the required standard in the management and interpretation of a site with local or national historic importance.

The accreditation coincides with completion earlier this year of a significant restoration project at Leavesden Country Park, which included work to improve the park’s main entrance for motorists and restoration of the original railings along College Road.

Meanwhile the Aquadrome is undergoing substantial work to restore, improve and safeguard the site for the future.

Cllr Chris Lloyd, Lead Member for Leisure, said: “I would like to thank all the council staff who have made achieving Green Flag status possible. The Green Flag is a tribute to many years of work to ensure both the Aquadrome and Leavesden Country Park remain great spaces to enjoy whatever your age, whether you live in the district or are just visiting.”

Cllr Stephen Giles-Medhurst, the Council Leader, said: “These two great parks really are the pride of Three Rivers, so I am delighted to see them recognised in this way. Both have received recent funding and important improvement works, the ongoing project at the Aquadrome and the now complete restoration and entrance improvement works at Leavesden Country Park.

“I am delighted to see such care and attention has gone into these projects so that future generations can continue to enjoy them as we do today.”

Launched in 1996, the Green Flag Award scheme has now been running for 29 years. The Green Flag Award is managed by Keep Britain Tidy on behalf of the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.

The sites are two of 2,250 in the UK to achieve the award, which is the international quality mark for parks and green spaces.

For more information visit: https://www.greenflagaward.org/

PHOTO CAPTION: (From Left) Cllr Chris Lloyd, Lead Member for Leisure, Cllr Stephen King, Chair of Three Rivers District Council, Cllr Joan King, the Chair's Consort, and Cllr Stephen Giles-Medhurst, Council Leader, holding the Green Flag Award 2025/26 flag at Leavesden Country Park by the heritage rails and welcome sign.