With parks providing the perfect location for families
during the school holidays, Jubilee Park in Weston-super-Mare has
been recognised as one of the country’s best green spaces with a
prestigious Green Flag Award today.
Green Flag Awards recognise and reward the best parks in the
country and Jubilee Park in South Ward stood out after impressing
the judges with its excellent use of green space, community
involvement, well-maintained facilities and high standard of safety
and security.
Jubilee Park is the first park in the district to gain this
accolade. Executive member for parks and open spaces
Cllr Elfan Ap Rees said he was also very pleased that the council
gained two new Green Flag awards this year for Jubilee Park and
Watchhouse Hill Public Open Space in Pill and has retained Green
Flags for Uphill Hill, and Abbots Pool in Abbots Leigh.
"These multiple Green Flag awards for our open spaces are a
tribute to the often quiet and behind the scenes work carried out
by staff and volunteers who look after our public green areas.
These will undoubtedly come under new funding pressures as the
government austerity measures bite but we are determined in North
Somerset to meet that challenge and if necessary find new
innovative ways to maintain the high standards we have
achieved."
Only green spaces that are free to enter and open to the public
are eligible to win an award through the scheme, which is run by
environmental charities Keep Britain Tidy, BTCV and GreenSpace.
Paul Todd, manager of the Green Flag Award Scheme, said: "It’s a
remarkable achievement that so many parks have successfully reached
Green Flag Award status this year. The staff running the parks work
very hard throughout the year to ensure their facilities are
maintained to a high standard and enjoyed by the entire
community.
"As the recession bites and people look closer to home to enjoy
the outdoors, the provision of high-quality, free open spaces is of
particular importance."
Jubilee Park was designed to create an open
space that links the urban areas and the distinctive rural
landscape character of the Somerset Levels. It includes the
existing rhynes and appropriate tree planting like willow and black
poplar trees.
The refurbishment of the Jubilee Park was funded by the South
Ward Neighbourhood Management Partnership, which received £3.7m of
government funding in 2007. £2m was used to fund capital
improvements, such as Jubilee Park, helping to create a cleaner,
safer and greener environment for the community.
The whole park was designed by landscape architect, Alex Fraser
after extensive consultation was undertaken with local residents,
regular park visitors, local skaters, BMX riders and North Somerset
Council.
It has a new street skate plaza, dirt bike track and unique play
equipment. New stone pillars mark the entrances and new benches
have been positioned so you can enjoy the unique park
landscape.
Watchhouse Hill is a 10-hectare public open
space on the eastern edge of the village of Pill. The spot is
supported by a very enthusiastic Friends of Watchhouse Hill Group
who are delighted to receive this award in recognition of their
hard work and commitment.
The site runs alongside the River Avon and provides
welcome leisure and recreational facilities close to the city
of Bristol.
The site is popular with dog walkers and a cycle track runs
along the western boundary fringe and links to the city centre.
Facilities include a multi-use games area, teen shelter and two
football pitches. Benches have been positioned around the site for
those who wish to rest and take in the views.
Uphill Hill is a Local Nature Reserve and Site
of Special Scientific Interest on the outskirts of
Weston-super-Mare. It is situated on the edge of Uphill village
overlooking the River Axe estuary. The partly-ruined 11th century
church of St Nicholas crowns the hill.
It is popular for walking and dog walking and has a cycle trail
and disabled access trail. It was voted the South West's favourite
picnic spot in the Warburtons Picnic Awards 2009.
Abbots Pool, on the edge of the village of
Abbots Leigh, has a large pond as its central feature surrounded by
idyllic mature woodland. The site covers about 10 hectares, with
some steep paths. The main pathway is accessible by wheelchairs and
buggies.
The Green Flag Award Scheme is managed by a consortium,
comprising Keep Britain Tidy, BTCV and GreenSpace.
Green Flag Award recognises well-managed, high-quality green
spaces. Any green space is eligible to win this award providing
visitors can enter free of charge. Previous winners include parks
managed by local authorities as well as those run by community
groups and trusts.
The applications for the Green Flag Awards are judged against
eight criteria: a welcoming place; healthy safe and secure; clean
and well maintained; sustainability; conservation and heritage;
community involvement; marketing; and management.
You can out more about parks and open spaces in North Somerset
here.
