Local parks are among best in Britain

More parks and green spaces than ever will be flying the Green Flag Award this year – more than 1,600 across the UK. Leavesden Country Park, Rickmansworth Aquadrome and Chorleywood House Estate are among the very best in the UK – and that’s official.

The parks are among a record-breaking 1,686 parks and green spaces that received a prestigious Green Flag Award – the mark of a quality park or green space. A Green Flag flying overhead is a sign to the public that the space boasts the highest possible standards, is beautifully maintained and has excellent facilities.

The celebration awards were this year hosted by Three Rivers District Council locally at Watersmeet, Rickmansworth and the event was celebrating its 20th year, recognising and rewarding the best parks and green spaces across the country.

The event included speeches by local GP Dr Kevin Barrett who spoke about how parks contribute to the improved health of residents, the Green Flag Story and a closing address by Chris Worman MBE: National and International Green Flag Award Judge Extraordinaire. The event concluded by showcasing the attendees the great wildlife and facilities at the Aquadrome through a Park Ranger led guided walk.

Three Rivers’ cabinet member for leisure community and wellbeing, Cllr Chris Lloyd said: “We are absolutely delighted to receive three Green Flag Awards for 2016. This Award recognises and highlights that people in Three Rivers are benefitting from green space of the very highest quality.

Keep Britain Tidy’s Green Flag Award scheme manager, Paul Todd, said: “We are delighted to announce yet another record-breaking year for Green Flag Award parks and green spaces.

“A Green Flag Award provides national recognition for all the parks’ managers, staff and volunteers who, through their dedication and hard work, have helped to create these fantastic places for everyone to enjoy.

Parks awarded around the County

See the full list of Green Flag Award winners for 2016 here.