Beaumont Park, Greenhead Park and Castle Hill are flying the flag for Kirklees Council’s public spaces.
Kirklees is celebrating the award of coveted Green Flags for its parks and greenspaces.
The Green Flag Award scheme is managed by environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy under licence from the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities and recognises and rewards well-managed parks and green spaces, setting a benchmark.
Beaumont Park, Greenhead Park, Wilton Park in Batley, Dewsbury’s Crow Nest Park, Almondbury Hill Fort – Castle Hill and Oakwell Hall Country Park in Birstall have all been awarded the international quality mark.
The highest accolade has been given to Beaumont Park, however, as it was placed in the highest band achievable.
Parks and public spaces have taken on a new importance since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic and Kirklees Council is delighted with the awards.
Clr Will Simpson, Cabinet Member for Culture and Greener Kirklees, said: “This is wonderful news and really demonstrates the hard work and commitment of all staff involved during what has been a very difficult couple of years.
“During lockdowns our parks have been busier than they have ever been. This has meant operational staff on the ground have had to work doubly hard to keep our parks to the high standards we have come to expect.
“The fact that we have been able to achieve these awards is a credit to them all. I really hope our residents continue to enjoy our parks through the colder months of the year and help our parks staff in keeping them in pristine condition.”
In addition, Oakwell Hall also received the much coveted Green Heritage Site Accreditation, supported by Historic England, for the management of its historic features.
Green Flag Award scheme manager Paul Todd said: “I would like to congratulate everyone involved in making the parks and greenspaces across Kirklees worthy of a Green Flag award.”
Having spent many years in Local Govt I am still somewhat surprised by LA,s receiving “Green Flags” ? Do the general Public understand what they are for and the very fact that any LA has to apply and pay for them.
Its the Volunteers that should have Flags or banners to reflect the sheer effort they contribute in the Parks both locally and nationally.
I remember vividly working for a neighbouring Council when one particular Park received the “Green Flag” and noting the details from the their visit – We were using the Award to support Grant applications.
The report was far from acurate and left huge chunks of the Park actually missing – It could have been written by a two year old!
We just need read beyond these awards and beyond those with rose tinted glasses providing such awards – Give the Volunteers the awards not the Councils!