Green Flag awarded to Wirral's top parks

2:25pm Tuesday 22nd July 2008

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EIGHT of Wirral’s most attractive parks and open spaces have received the prestigious Green Flag award this year.

As part of the Government's drive to improve the standards of management and maintenance of parks, the Green Flag Awards recognise top quality parks and green spaces across the country.

Winners are judged against stringent assessment criteria and need to be welcoming and well maintained with the support and involvement of the local community.

Wirral’s winners, who will celebrate their achievements and collect their awards at a major ceremony in Liverpool on Thursday, are Birkenhead Park, Thornton Hough Village Green, Vale Park in New Brighton, and Ashton Park in West Kirby, which all won the award last year, and Wirral Country Park, Eastham Country Park, Royden Park and Coronation Gardens in West Kirby which have all won the award for the first time.

Birkenhead Park also retained its accreditation as a Green Heritage Site.

Parliamentary Under Secretary of State, Baroness Andrews, will be presenting the awards on Thursday.

She said: "I would like to congratulate all those whose hard work has resulted in this year's green flag winners.

“In our busy modern lives, parks and green spaces are invaluable as areas where young and old can come together to relax, exercise and play.

"The winning parks provide great examples of this and show just how important green spaces can be for everyone as centrepoints of the community."

Cllr Bob Moon, Wirral Council cabinet member for culture, tourism and leisure, added: “It is fantastic that the quality and beauty of Wirral’s parks and countryside areas are recognised in this way.

“It is a tribute to the hard work and commitment of those responsible for managing and maintaining these facilities and to the parks friends groups which play an active role in the development of the parks.

“I am delighted that Wirral has doubled its tally of Green Flags from four to eight.”