August 21, 2014 10.37 am This story is over 115 months old

Popular Lincoln parks hold Green Flag status

Green Flag Award: The Arboretum and Hartsholme Park in Lincoln have been recognised once again by the prestigious Green Flag award scheme.
The Green Flag flying at Hartsholme park. Photo: CoLC

The Arboretum and Hartsholme Park in Lincoln have been recognised once again by the Green Flag award scheme.

The Arboretum is celebrating receiving the award for the tenth time, while Hartsholme Country Park has been named as one of the best parks in England and Wales for the seventh year in a row.

To thank local volunteers and the wider community, a flag-raising ceremony will be held for Hartsholme Country Park in the coming weeks.

Linked with the Keep Britain Tidy campaign, the Green Flag Award is the national award for parks and green spaces.

To win the award, green spaces must be judged as welcoming, safe and well maintained with strong involvement from their local communities.

The Arboretum, off Monks Road, was the first green space in Lincolnshire to achieve Green Flag status in 2004 following a £3 million refurbishment the previous year.

Caroline Bird, Community Services Manager at the City of Lincoln Council, said: “People in Lincoln are very passionate about their parks and green spaces and we’re committed to maintaining and improving them.

“Hartsholme Country Park and the Arboretum are two of our most popular parks and we’re proud they continue to be awarded the Green Flag.”

Councillor Donald Nannestad, Portfolio Holder for Recreational Services and Health, added: “High quality parks are important to the health and well-being of our residents, and provide recreational space for visitors to enjoy as well.”

This year a record 1,476 parks and green spaces will be flying the Green Flag Award.

The awards are judged by more than 700 volunteer experts who visit sites and assess them against eight strict criteria, including horticultural standards, cleanliness, sustainability and community involvement.

International Green Flag Award Scheme Manager Paul Todd said: “It’s another record-breaking year for the scheme.

“This is something well worth celebrating and testament to the efforts of the thousands of men and women, supported by some amazing volunteers, who work tirelessly to maintain the high standards demanded by the Green Flag Award.”