Thirteen of Sheffield City Council’s parks and woodlands have received Green Flag Awards, giving Sheffield the highest number of flags in Yorkshire and the Humber.
This is an international award, which has been running for over 30 years. It indicates to the public that the space is accessible to all, well maintained, has high environmental standards and has excellent facilities on site.
13 of Sheffield’s green spaces have maintained their green flag status and received flags again this year. These include;
Firth Heritage Park, Norfolk Heritage Park, Cholera Monument Grounds and Clay Wood, Devonshire Green, Peace Gardens, Sheffield Winter Gardens, Sheffield Botanical Gardens, Weston Park, Meersbrook Park, Millhouses Park, Ecclesall Woods, Wheata Woods and Tinsley Green.
Councillor Mary Lea, cabinet member for culture, parks and leisure at Sheffield City Council, said;
“As one of the greenest cities in Europe it’s no surprise that Sheffield tops the table in Yorkshire and the Humber for these awards. Green spaces are on the doorstep wherever you live in Sheffield and we’re proud to maintain such high standards so that they can be enjoyed by everyone.”
Sheffield’s green spaces are a key part of city life. They draw people together and often play host to large events. Most recently, the World Cup fan zone which was hosted on Devonshire Green. Hillsborough Park will even be hosting Tramlines for it’s ten year anniversary this weekend.
In addition, Green Flag Community Awards were also awarded, for green spaces which work with community projects across the city. These included;
Grenoside Green (applied for by Friends of Grenoside Green) Firth Park Community Allotment, Heeley City Farm, Norfolk Park Community Garden, Wortley Hall Walled Garden (all applied for by Heeley City Farm) and Meersbrook Community Walled Garden (applied for by Meersbrook Park Users Trust).
The flags are awarded by a body of more than 700 volunteers who visit each green space to assess it’s facilities. International Green Flag Award Scheme Manager Paul Todd said;
“Each flag honours the thousands of staff and volunteers who work tirelessly to maintain the high standards demanded by the Green Flag Award. We are proud to have so many wonderful green spaces in the UK for people to enjoy, and hope that next year, we award even more flags.”
You can’t say fairer than that can you?
For more information about the Green Flag Awards visit their website.
