Fylde Council is celebrating today after all seven of its nominated parks and gardens received a Green Flag Award – the borough’s best ever result since the scheme began.
Ashton Gardens, Elswick, Fairhaven Lake and Gardens, Lowther Gardens, Lytham War Memorial and Garden and Promenade Gardens have all retained their Green Flag status, while Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee Garden in St Annes – also known locally as Crescent Gardens – has been recognised for the very first time, having entered the competition this year. The garden’s success is thanks in no small part to the dedication of its Friends group, who work in partnership with the Council’s Ranger Service to care for and champion the site.
It comes as the internationally recognised standard for parks and green spaces celebrates its 30th anniversary.
Fylde’s award-winning sites are among a record-breaking 2,391 across the UK to achieve the award this year – a fantastic testament to the hard work, passion and dedication of the council’s parks teams, volunteers and partners who care for these green spaces, ensuring they are maintained to a high standard for residents and visitors to enjoy.
The results are being announced today at a special regional Green Flag Awards ceremony hosted at Lowther Pavilion Theatre & Gardens in Lytham – a first for the Fylde Coast – bringing together winning local authorities, environmental organisations and community groups from across the North West, Yorkshire and the Humber, and the North East.
Councillor Jayne Nixon, Lead Member for Tourism, Leisure and Culture at Fylde Council, said: “To see all seven of our nominated sites awarded Green Flag status is a brilliant achievement, and one the whole borough should be proud of. From Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee Garden earning recognition on its very first entry, to our much-loved Promenade Gardens retaining their status, this is a real reflection of the pride and dedication our teams put into these spaces every single day.
“To have these results announced right here in Fylde, at the Lowther Pavilion, makes the achievement even more special. I’d like to thank everyone involved – our parks staff, In Bloom volunteers, friends groups and partners – for making Fylde’s green spaces something we can all be proud of.”
Paul Todd MBE, Green Flag Award Manager at Keep Britain Tidy, added: “Parks are essential public spaces that support our wellbeing, our communities and our economy. Yet for millions of people, particularly in the most deprived areas, local parks simply don’t feel safe or welcoming.
“With public services under pressure, investing in parks is not a luxury, it’s a practical, preventative solution and one of the most visible ways to improve people’s quality of life.
“Fylde Council and its partners have shown what can be achieved when parks are properly supported and managed. As we celebrate 30 years of the Green Flag Award, we want every community to have access to green spaces like this that are safe, welcoming and maintained to a high standard.
“Congratulations to everyone involved.”
The Green Flag Award scheme, managed by environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy under contract from the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government, recognises and rewards well-managed parks and green spaces, setting the benchmark standard for the management of green spaces across the United Kingdom and around the world.
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