Two green spaces in Stone have retained their Green Flag status as Stafford Borough Council celebrates a combined 70 years of awards across six sites.
Stonefield Park has received the national recognition for an eleventh time, while Stone Cemetery has secured its eighth Green Flag.
The accreditation is an international quality mark for parks and green spaces, recognising sites which are welcoming, well maintained and managed to a high standard.
The two Stone sites joined four locations in Stafford on this year’s list.
Victoria Park retained its Green Flag for a twentieth consecutive year, while Wildwood Park received the award for a seventh time.
Stafford Crematorium and Tixall Road Cemetery secured the recognition for a fifteenth time, with the 160 year old Eccleshall Road Cemetery receiving its ninth award.
Together, the six Stafford Borough Council managed sites have now achieved 70 years of Green Flag recognition.
Around 2,400 parks and green spaces across the UK received the award this year.
Green Flag Award manager Paul Todd MBE said
“Congratulations to everyone involved. Parks are essential public spaces that support our wellbeing, our communities and our economy.
“Stafford Borough Council has shown what can be achieved when parks are properly supported and managed. As we celebrate 30 years of the Green Flag Award, we want every community to have access to green spaces like this that are safe, welcoming and maintained to a high standard.”
The Green Flag Award scheme is managed by environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy under licence from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.
Joss Presland, head of operations at Stafford Borough Council, thanked council staff and community groups involved in looking after the sites.
He said
“We know these parks and open spaces are popular with our residents and visitors, and it is always great to have independent feedback from judges representing a national organisation about how well maintained and managed they are.
“Thank you to all those who do excellent work on the ground and behind the scenes to ensure these green spaces are appreciated by the tens of thousands of people who visit them.”
He added
“Thanks also to the contribution from our community, especially the ‘Friends’ groups that support the work of the council at these sites. They are instrumental in us receiving the ‘Green Flags’.”
Any green space which is freely accessible to the public can be entered into the annual Green Flag Award scheme.
1 comment
Edna Parker
Lovely park and very well kept.well done to all the keepers