Rugby’s five Green Flag awards are a tribute to the dedication of the council’s parks and cleaning crews – Yahoo News UK

Rugby’s five Green Flag awards are a great tribute to the dedication of the council’s parks and cleaning crews.

Caldecott Park, Newbold’s Centenary Park and Millennium Green have retained Green Flag Awards, while the ‘pocket park’ at Gladstone Green and Jubilee Street Recreation Ground retained Green Flag Community Awards.

Green Flag, the international benchmark for quality parks and open spaces, announced the 2023 winners yesterday (Tuesday).

Tom Kittendorf, director of leisure and wellbeing for Rugby Borough Council, praised the hard work and dedication of the council’s teams, volunteers and residents, who were involved in the borough’s Green Flag success.

“The Green Flag Awards have set the international benchmark for parks and green spaces, so it’s great that we have five parks in the district with Green Flag status,” he added.

Organized by the environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy, Green Flag works to raise standards in parks and green spaces around the world, promoting well-maintained and well-managed parks with excellent facilities.

Judges evaluate each park nominated for the award based on eight strict criteria, including horticultural standards, cleanliness, sustainability, and community involvement.

Caldecott Park has now secured its Green Flag status for 16 years in a row, while Centenary Park has achieved eight Green Flags in a row.
Millennium Green and Gladstone Green have now achieved Green Flag status for seven consecutive years.

And Jubilee Recreation Ground retained its Green Flag crown a year after receiving an award from the community for the first time.

The award recognizes parks and green spaces that play a vital role in bringing communities together.
Working in partnership with the council, the New Bilton Community Association has developed a community growth project, with volunteers and residents growing a variety of vegetables and herbs, along with pollinator-friendly plants and flowers.
Paul Todd, Green Flag Award program manager, said: “I would like to congratulate everyone involved in rugby on achieving five Green Flag awards.
“Award-winning parks provide vital green space for the community, bringing people together and providing opportunities for healthy lifestyles.

“The staff and volunteers do a lot to ensure that the award winners uphold the high standards of the Green Flag Award and all involved should be extremely proud of the achievement.”