Local park wins prestigious award

ALEXANDRA PARK in Stockton Heath, Warrington has been recognised as one of the country’s best green spaces with a prestigious Green Flag Award.

Green Flag Awards recognise and reward the best parks in the country and Alexandra Park stood out after impressing the judges with its excellent use of green space, well-maintained facilities and high standard of safety and security.

Six other areas in the borough have been successful in retaining a Green Flag award, but this is the first community park to be recognised.

Paula Darlington, assistant director of environment and public protection services at the council, said: “I am delighted that Alexandra Park has been officially named as an outstanding green space. The staff and friends who contributed to this award thoroughly deserve to be rewarded in this way.”

This year has seen the highest number of awards handed out – a record 1200 Green Flags and Green Pennants across the UK.

Only green spaces that are free to enter and open to the public are eligible to win an award through the scheme, which is run by environmental charities Keep Britain Tidy, BTCV and GreenSpace.

Paul Todd, manager of the Green Flag Award Scheme, said: “It’s a remarkable achievement that so many parks have successfully reached Green Flag Award status this year. The staff running the parks work very hard throughout the year to ensure their facilities are maintained to a high standard and enjoyed by the entire community.”