Bank Holiday Monday today and no doubt families and individuals across the country will be out and about enjoying the benefits which our expertly maintained parks and open spaces around the UK provide.

 

We were pleased to report on here last week about London Mayor Sadiq Kahn's ambitious plans to turn the capital into the world's first National Park City. I did however, hear some cynicism about the mayor's ability to actually deliver on these promises. 

 

With the levels of money being talked about I suppose having some doubts that it'll play out as envisioned is fair enough. I seriously hope that both for the benefit of the public and the turf professional industry, Sadiq finds a way to make his plans succeed.

 

A government backed scheme which has already proved successful for parks over recent years however, has been the Green Flag Awards. So, it was pleasing last week to see the government renew its licence for another five years.

 

Parks and Green Spaces Minister Marcus Jones made the announcement on Wednesday last week in Rugby, a town that boasts not one but four Green Flag winning parks, many of which were originally derelict sites that have been transformed by the hard work of the community and the local council.

 

For 20 years, the Green Flag Awards have been recognising the best of outdoors spaces in the UK, allowing visitors to easily find quality parks and other green spaces to enjoy and setting standards for park managers across the country. Many parks have won the award, but winners also include more unusual spaces such as social housing developments, cemeteries, canals, and shopping centres.

 

The awards are run on behalf of the government by Keep Britain Tidy, an environmental charity that campaigns for people’s right to live and work in a place of which they can be proud.

 

Parks and Green Spaces Minister, Marcus Jones said, "I am very happy to confirm that the Green Flag Awards will be continuing, championing Britain’s excellent parks and green spaces and the people behind them.

 

"These awards are valuable not least because they reward local authorities and communities for their dedication to the great outdoors - and give locals and tourists an easy way to find quality spaces to get outside, exercise and play."

 

Chief Executive of Keep Britain Tidy, Allison Ogden-Newton added, "We welcome the extension to the Green Flag Award licence as we know how important the scheme has been in the renaissance of our parks over the past 20 years.

 

"We are delighted that the announcement is being made in Rugby as they have shown how people benefit from the provision of quality parks and green spaces in particular in encouraging people to live healthier and more active lives."

 

Hopefully the Green Flag Awards will continue to acknowledge great work being carried out by both volunteers and skilled professionals for years to come.