Three parks in Ipswich have retained their prestigious Green Flag Awards, the international quality mark for parks and green spaces.
Today, Ipswich Borough Council is celebrating after again receiving a trio of accolades for Bourne, Christchurch and Holywells Parks.
The news of this year’s accreditations for the parks is testament to the hard work and dedication of the team that care for the green spaces of Ipswich, so that visitors and residents alike can enjoy them.
This is now the sixth year running that Bourne Park has achieved Green Flag status, which has been held by Christchurch Park for 18 years in succession and Holywells Park for 16 years in a row.
Green Flag Award Scheme Manager, Paul Todd MBE, said:
“Congratulations to everyone involved at Ipswich Borough Council who have worked tirelessly on achieving the high standards required for these Green Flag Awards.
“Quality parks and green spaces make the country a heathier place to live and work in, and a stronger place in which to invest.
“Crucially, parks like these are these are free and safe spaces for families to socialise, for children to play, and for everyone to enjoy nature. They also provide important opportunities for local people and visitors to reap the physical and mental health benefits of green space.”
Councillor Lucy Trenchard, Ipswich Borough Council Portfolio Holder for Parks and Climate Change, says:
“We are all delighted that Bourne, Christchurch and Holywells Parks have maintained their Green Flag status, together totalling 40 award-winning years. I’d like to thank our hard-working Parks team, community groups and volunteers who make them such special places. Everyone involved should feel extremely proud of their efforts and achievements, which sees us celebrating for another year!
“We’re incredibly proud of all our parks and open spaces in Ipswich, and the huge benefits they bring to our residents and visitors, as well as in protecting wildlife and environmental assets all around us.”
Bourne, Christchurch and Holywells Parks are among 2,250 sites in the UK to achieve official recognition for being one of the country’s best parks through the Green Flag Award scheme, Managed by environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy under licence from the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government, this annually recognises and rewards well-managed parks and green spaces, setting the benchmark standard for the management of green spaces across the United Kingdom and around the world.