Old Rough Park in Northwood, Kirkby is celebrating today after receiving a Green Flag Award.
This latest accolade means that 21 parks and green spaces in the borough have the prestigious Green Flag status.
This comes as the internationally recognised standard for parks and green spaces celebrates its 30th year.
Old Rough Park is one of a record breaking 2,391 pubic open spaces in the UK to achieve the award this year – a fantastic testament to the hard work, passion and dedication of the council’s parks team and Friends of Old Rough who care for this green space, ensuring it is maintained to a high standard for visitors and residents to enjoy.
Last year, improvements were delivered, in collaboration with the Friends of Old Rough and the Your Northwood group. These included improved entrances, creating a wetland area – to help alleviate flooding of the paths, new bins and benches installed, as well as tree planting and wildflower meadows. Two new children’s play areas were also installed and have become popular and well-loved spaces.
Cllr Shelley Powell, Cabinet Member for Communities and Neighbourhoods, said:
“We are delighted that Old Rough Park has been awarded the Green Flag status, as we know the importance of high-quality green spaces for our communities.
“Old Rough Park’s award is testament to the success of the partnership between the council and the Friends of Old Rough”.
“All of our Green Flags are a tribute to the hard work of our staff and volunteers, who do so much to maintain the high standards demanded by the Green Flag Award.”
Paul Todd MBE, Green Flag Award Manager at Keep Britain Tidy, added:
“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.”
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.
The 21 Green Flag Awarded Parks across Knowsley are:-
Old Rough Park
Millbrook Millennium Green
Webster Park
St Chad’s Park
Acornfield Plantation
Littlewood
King George V Huyton
Jubilee Park
McGoldrick Park
Court Hey Park
Bowring Park
Sawpit Park
Ten Acre Pits
King George V Brownsfield
Eaton Street Park
Prescot Cemetery and St Marys Church yard
Knowsley Cemetery
Henley Park
Court Farm Woods
Halewood Triangle Park
The Pasture