Wirral parks celebrate green flag awards

Jul 28 2010 by Jade Wright, Birkenhead News

Wirral parks celebrate green flag awards

WIRRAL parks are celebrating a record number of green flag awards.

A dozen parks have received the green flags, with Birkenhead Park – the country’s first publicly-funded park and the inspiration for Central Park in New York – singled out for the Green Heritage Award.

Meanwhile, Royden Park stood out after impressing the judges with its excellent use of green space, well-maintained facilities and high standard of safety and security.

Cllr David Elderton, Wirral’s Cabinet Member for Culture, Tourism and Leisure, said: “Wirral people already appreciate what an asset our parks and open spaces are, so it’s wonderful to get national recognition.

"Royden Park in particular is a well-used and much-loved recreational area, with the added bonus of some very special features such as the walled garden, children’s railway, and coach house visitor area.

“The award is a credit to all those staff and volunteers who work so hard to maintain the park, and to the people who use and cherish it.”

Communities and Local Government Minister Andrew Stunell MP said: “The record number of Green Pennants awarded to local people showing what people can do for themselves in their local area is an amazing achievement.”

Brotherton Park and Dibbinsdale Local Nature Reserve, Eastham Country Park, North Wirral Coastal Park, Vale Park, Thornton Hough Village Green, Wirral Country Park, Ashton Park, Coronation Gardens, Hilbre Island Local Nature Reserve and The Arno have also received flags.

“What I have seen shows that sometimes the smallest spaces transformed are of the greatest benefit to their community if the community is involved from the start and drive the changes themselves,” said Mr Stunell.

“I congratulate the park managers, park wardens and the volunteers for their success in being awarded Green Flags and Green Pennants and thank them for their hard work to create urban green places that people enjoy.”