Buckinghamshire celebrates as six parks win coveted Green Flag Awards

Buckinghamshire Council is celebrating after six of its parks received prestigious Green Flag Awards, reflecting their status as some of the best parks in the country.

The six award-winning parks are: The Rye and Hughenden Park in High Wycombe, Higginson Park in Marlow, Vale Park and Bedgrove Park in Aylesbury, and Heartlands in Buckingham.

The Green Flag Award scheme, managed by environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy under licence from the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, recognises and rewards well-managed parks and green spaces, setting the benchmark standard for the management of green spaces across the UK and around the world.

Strict judging criteria is used to assess if a park or green space is worthy of being awarded a Green Flag. The judging panel considers a range of factors including:

• A welcoming place
• Healthy, safe and secure
• Well maintained and clean
• Environmental management
• Biodiversity, landscape and heritage
• Community involvement
• Marketing and communication
• Overall management

Clive Harriss, Buckinghamshire Council’s Cabinet Member for Culture & Leisure, said:

“It’s fantastic news that six of our parks have won Green Flag Awards – the international quality mark for parks and green spaces. I’m particularly delighted that we were successful in regaining the award for The Rye in High Wycombe; it’s a great place to visit for local families and will soon be even better, as we have works planned for a brand new play area over the next few months.

“The six awards are testament to the hard work and dedication of the teams that care for the green spaces so that everyone can enjoy them all year round.”

Keep Britain Tidy’s Green Flag Award Scheme Manager Paul Todd MBE commented:

“I would like to congratulate everyone involved at Buckinghamshire Council in achieving their Green Flag Awards.

“Green spaces are vital for bringing people together and providing opportunities to lead healthy lifestyles. The staff and volunteers do so much to ensure the parks maintain the high standards of the Green Flag Award and everyone involved should feel extremely proud of their achievement.”

A full list of parks, green spaces and play areas that are managed and maintained by Buckinghamshire Council can be viewed on its Parks and Open Spaces webpage.