Published on 23rd July 2012

Large copper beech tree in Montpellier Gardens

Celebrate ‘Love Parks Week’ this week and make the most of the being outdoors by exploring some of Cheltenham’s award winning parks and open spaces.

  • Four Cheltenham parks win Green Flag award
  • Love Parks Week, 21 to 29 July 2012

There are over 100 parks and green spaces in the borough, and Love Parks Week aims to encourage people to visit, enjoy and take pride in their local parks and green spaces.

Montpellier Gardens, Hatherley Park, Naunton Park and Springfields Park have retained their Green Flag status. To achieve a Green Flag award, each park is scored under key areas which include: a welcoming place; clean and well maintained; sustainability; conservation and heritage; and community involvement.

Adam Reynolds, parks development manager, says: “Now that summer is finally here, as well as the school summer holidays, there cannot be a better time to explore Cheltenham’s many fantastic parks and green spaces.

“We are delighted that four of our parks have kept their Green Flag status this year, and would really like to encourage our local residents to spend time outside and make the most of them.

Councillor Roger Whyborn, cabinet member for sustainability said: “Holding four Green Flags represents the hard work and dedication of council staff, volunteers, community groups and local residents. Our park and green spaces are places to enjoy and it’s fantastic to get this well-deserved recognition for them yet again.’’

The council has a new parks facebook page (facebook.com/cheltenhamparks) which shows photos of some of the town’s parks, and would like local residents to add their favourite pictures of their local park.

For press enquiries contact: Kelly Carter, communications officer, telephone 01242 264154, email kelly.carter@cheltenham.gov.uk

Notes to Editors
For more information about Love Parks Week, visit the website.

The Green Flag Award Scheme is managed by a consortium, comprising Keep Britain Tidy, BTCV and GreenSpace. Known collectively as the Green Flag Plus Partnership, the consortium manages the scheme in England on behalf of Communities and Local Government (CLG) and in Wales for the Welsh Steering Group.

Green Flag Award recognises well managed, high quality green spaces. Any green space is eligible to win this award providing visitors can enter free of charge. Previous winners include parks managed by local authorities as well as those run by community groups and trusts. The scheme was set up in 1996.

Green Flag’s vision is that by 2020, 50 per cent of green spaces in England and Wales will be of Green Flag standard – a staggering 15,000 sites.