PR Date: Friday, 23 October 2020 - 11:00am
Five parks and nature reserves in North Hertfordshire are raising their Green Flag Awards with pride this month, in a year when millions of people have seen the value of having great quality green spaces on their doorstep.
North Herts District Council (NHDC) managed parks and nature reserves that have received Green Flag Awards include:
- Oughtonhead Common Local Nature Reserve (LNR) in Hitchin, receiving the award for a fifth year running
- Ivel Springs LNR in Baldock, receiving the award for the sixth year running
- Howard Park and Gardens in Letchworth, receiving the award for the seventh year running
- Norton Common LNR in Letchworth, receiving the award for the eleventh year running
- Priory Memorial Gardens in Royston, receiving the award for the eleventh year running
The Green Flag Award scheme, managed by environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy under licence from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, recognises and rewards well-managed parks and green spaces, setting the benchmark standard for their management across the United Kingdom and around the world.
NHDC’s sites are five among a record breaking 2,061 parks and green spaces that received Green Flag Award status this year.
Cllr Steve Jarvis, NHDC’s Executive Member for Environment and Leisure said: “Parks and nature reserves have become hugely important to residents in the district since lockdown, providing space to help individuals improve their physical and mental wellbeing. We work closely with John O’Conner Ground Maintenance, Countryside Management Service and various volunteer Friends Of groups to keep these sites well maintained and thriving for people to enjoy and we are very pleased that these efforts have been acknowledged by the awards.”
Commenting on NHDC’s success, Keep Britain Tidy Chief Executive Allison Ogden-Newton OBE said, “This year, more than ever, our parks and green spaces have been a lifeline and we know that millions of people have used them to relax, meet friends, exercise or simply escape for a short time.
“It is testament to the incredible dedication and hard work of parks staff and volunteers that, despite the challenges that went along with record numbers of visitors, NHDC has achieved the highest international standards in their parks and nature reserves, that are demanded by the Green Flag Award.”
To find out more about these parks and local nature reserves go to: https://www.north-herts.gov.uk/home/parks-and-open-spaces/parks-and-nature-reserves
Photo left to right: Cllr Steve Jarvis, NHDC Executive Member for Environment and Leisure with Andrew Mills, NHDC Grounds Manager raise the Green Flag at Ivel Springs LNR in Baldock
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