For the first time, Rotten Row, Southport has gained the Green Flag Communities Award. The Friends of Group have been instrumental in bringing the border back to its former glory due to a successful Heritage Lottery Funding funding grant.
Southport’s King’s Gardens was also honoured along with, cemeteries and open spaces in Sefton with the prestigious Green Flag award.
The award, handed out by environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy, recognises and rewards the best parks and green spaces across the country.
A Green Flag flying overhead is a sign to the public that the space boasts the highest possible standards, is beautifully maintained and has excellent facilities.
Contractors for Sefton Council carry out regular maintenance in the borough’s parks, but this is often supported by dedicated volunteers and ‘Friends of’ groups.
Sefton Council has managed a major transformation of King’s Gardens after being awarded more than £4 million from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) and the Big Lottery Fund (BIG) through their Parks for People programme. The Green Flag will now fly proudly over the historic seafront gardens.
The 10 other Sefton spaces that have retained their Green Flag are: Botanic Gardens, Lord Street Gardens and Hesketh Park, Southport; Coronation Park, Crosby; Derby Park and North Park, Bootle; and Hatton Hill Park, Litherland.
Photo: Botanic Garden
Also awarded were Southport Crematorium, Liverpool Road Cemetery, Birkdale, and Thornton Garden of Rest.
Members of the Group, who have clocked up more than 10,000 onsite hours, work in close partnership with Sefton Council and its contractor and the volunteers are dedicated to maintaining the colourful border for the benefit of Southport and visitors.
Cllr Ian Moncur, Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing, said: “It is fantastic that all 10 of our Green Flag parks have retained this recognition of quality and high standards while King’s Gardens has joined the elite club.
“We have some amazing parks, cemeteries and open spaces across the borough and thank all of our volunteers for their support and help in achieving such high standards throughout the year.”
Photo:Lord Street
Queensway Allotment and Green Gym and St Luke’s Church Grounds, Crosby have both retained their Green Flag Communities Award status with ongoing support from Sefton Council.
In total, 1,582 parks, cemeteries, universities, shopping centres and community gardens in the UK have met the high standard needed to receive the Green Flag Award or the Green Flag Community Award.
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.”
For further information visit www.sefton.gov.uk and search for ‘parks.’ Anybody interested in joining or setting up a ‘friends of’ group can also call 0151 934 2345.
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