Five parks in Preston have retained their green flag status as being outstanding spaces in the city.
AdvertisementAvenham Park, Miller Park, Grange Park, Haslam Park and Fishwick nature reserve all scooped the accolade.
Haslam Park holds a green flag community award via its friends group for their volunteer management of the sensory garden and local nature reserve.
The green flag status, a similar scheme to the blue flags for beaches, rates parks on their cleanliness and beauty.
Preston City Council’s cabinet member for community and environment, Coun Robert Boswell, said: “I am delighted that five of our parks and green spaces have received the Green Flags from Keep Britain Tidy. This fantastic news coincides with National Love Parks week so I urge the people of Preston to visit the parks and take in all their beauty.
“Preston has five parks and open spaces that meet the Green Flag award standard, this is recognition to all the hard work and commitment, not only from council staff, but also volunteers and friends groups who help maintain them for our enjoyment.”
International Green Flag Award scheme manager Paul Todd said: “We are delighted to be celebrating another record-breaking year for the Green Flag Award scheme. All the flags flying this year are a testament to the efforts of the thousands of men and women, both staff and volunteers, who work tirelessly to maintain the high standards demanded by the Green Flag Award.”
The Preston parks team recently won a gold medal for their horticultural efforts at the RHS Tatton Park show – with their Zulu display commemorating the Battle of Rorke’s Drift.
Major work is due to begin at Moor Park, which does not hold a green flag, as part of a heritage and restoration scheme using more than £2 million of public funds.
Enjoy our nine pictures of Preston’s parks to make you realise just how special they are.
What do you think of the green flags? Where is your favourite park in Preston? Let us know in the comments below