Two Liverpool parks have been recognised as being among the best in the UK.
Sefton and Stanley Parks have retained their Green Flag and Green Heritage status. Both parks are already listed with English Heritage, Sefton Park being Grade 1 and Stanley Grade 2*.
They have received the prestigious awards handed out by environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy. Green Flags indicates that a park has the highest possible standards, is highly maintained and has excellent facilities. Green Heritage Site accreditation is judged on the treatment of the site’s historic features and the standard of conservation. A total of 1,582 parks and green spaces have received a prestigious Green Flag Award.
Sefton Park is widely regarded as one of the country’s most outstanding public parks with a distinctive landscape of watercourses and water bodies. Numerous features and facilities which have been introduced over 140 years as the park has become established as Liverpool’s premier heritage landscape.
Stanley Park is well known for its distinctive design and characterful architecture, which includes a formal terrace with lawns and bedding displays enhanced by five sturdy gothic style shelters in red sandstone. The park also features the refurbished Victorian Isla Gladstone Conservatory. Originally conceived as a People’s Park, Stanley Park maintains its attractive, historic landscape .
Councillor Peter Mitchell, Mayoral Lead for Parks, said: “We are very pleased to receive the Green Flag and Green heritage awards from Keep Britain Tidy. They show that our parks are well maintained and that they are an important part of our heritage.”
The parks are managed by national green services company, Glendale, on behalf of Liverpool City Council. General Manager Peter Cosgrove said: “It’s fantastic to see these parks recognised as some of the best in the UK once again. The Green Flag Awards are a benchmark of quality and fall in line with Glendale’s commitment to creating and sustaining beautiful open spaces which can be enjoyed by all.”
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.”