Bourne Park, Chantry Park, Christchurch Park and Holywells Park in Ipswich raise the prestigious Green Flag Award after achieving the international quality mark for parks and green spaces.
It comes as the internationally recognised standard for parks and green spaces celebrates its 30th year.
Bourne Park, Christchurch Park and Holywells Park have retained their prestigious status, with Chantry Park being awarded for the first time this year. All our heritage parks now have a Green Flag award.
The four Ipswich Parks are some of a record breaking 2,391 in the UK to achieve the award this year – a fantastic testament to the hard work, passion and dedication of the team who care for these green spaces, ensuring they are maintained to a high standard for visitors and residents to enjoy.
Paul Todd MBE, Green Flag Award Manager at Keep Britain Tidy, said: “Parks are essential public spaces that support our wellbeing, our communities and our economy. Yet for millions of people, particularly in the most deprived areas, local parks simply don’t feel safe or welcoming.
“With public services under pressure, investing in parks is not a luxury, it’s a practical, preventative solution and one of the most visible ways to improve people’s quality of life.
“Ipswich Borough Council have shown what can be achieved when parks are properly supported and managed. As we celebrate 30 years of the Green Flag Award, we want every community to have access to green spaces like this that are safe, welcoming and maintained to a high standard.
"Congratulations to everyone involved."
Councillor Stefan Long, Ipswich Borough Council Portfolio Holder for Environment and Sport, said: "We are incredibly proud of these four parks achieving Green Flag status. This prestigious accreditation reflects the dedication and hard work of our parks teams, volunteers and community groups who help care for these valued green spaces throughout the year.
"Our parks are at the heart of communities across Ipswich, providing places for recreation, exercise, wildlife and relaxation. Receiving this recognition demonstrates our ongoing commitment to maintaining high-quality, welcoming and sustainable green spaces for residents and visitors to enjoy now and in the future.
"I would like to thank everyone involved in helping our parks reach and maintain these exceptional standards."
The Green Flag Award scheme, managed by environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy under contract from the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government, 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.