Try Some Park Life!
Last updated: 03/08/2006 - 13:04
Nature reserves, a cemetery and crematorium, and a former coal tip are among the 81 parks and green spaces honoured in the Green Flag Awards.
The Green Flag Award is the government-backed national standard for parks and green spaces across England.
Judges check each park, or green space, against a variety of criteria, including:
1: Whether it is clean and well-maintained.
2: Whether it is a welcoming place.
3: Whether the community is involved in running it.
4: Whether it is managed sustainably.
5: Each of the record number of award winners receives a special Green Flag, to be flown for a year.
"Parks and green spaces make a real difference to our quality of life," says regeneration minister Sally Keeble. "The Green Flag Awards make a real difference, because they reward and promote excellence."
"We are delighted with the continued growth of the Green Flag award scheme," says Mark Davis, chair of the Green Flag Award steering group. "More flags flying means that more parks are attaining high standards, and generates public and professional interest. We want members of the public to ask their park managers, 'why haven't we got a Green flag flying in our park'.
The Green Flag Award scheme is a joint initiative of a group of respected environmental organisations (DTLR - the Department of Transport, Local Government and the Regions; The Pesticide Action Network UK; English Nature; and The Civic Trust).
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