Parks retain prestigious Green Flag quality awards

Summerhill, a 100-acre country park, and the more traditional Ward Jackson Park have retained their Green Flag Awards.

Staff and volunteers at Summerhill Country Park celebrate retaining their Green Flag

In a record-breaking year for the Green Flag Award scheme which is marking its Silver Jubilee, they are amongst 2127 locations nationally celebrating success.

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

Summerhill and Ward Jackson Park have both held Green Flags since 2008.

Horticulture staff from Hartlepool Borough Council Environmental Services tend to flower beds in Ward Jackson Park

Councillor Tim Fleming, Chair of Hartlepool Borough Council’s Adult and Community Based Services Committee, said: “This is fantastic news and reflects the on-going commitment we have as an authority to provide high quality parks and open spaces across the whole town for the benefit of residents and visitors.

“Securing a Green Flag Award in the first instance and then retaining it in successive years requires a real team effort. Council staff work closely with a range of volunteers – the Friends of Ward Jackson Park, the Friends of Hartlepool’s Wild Green Spaces and Summerhill’s own team of volunteers – and I’d like to congratulate everyone involved in winning these awards for their dedication and hard work.”

Cameron Stokell, Chair of the Council’s Neighbourhood Services Committee, added: “We have really learnt to appreciate our parks and green spaces during the Coronavirus pandemic and they have played a vital role as places where people can relax, exercise and meet friends and family safely.

“My thanks go to all of the Council staff and volunteers who work so hard to maintain them and keep them in first rate condition – they do an absolutely brilliant job.”

Visitors to the town’s parks are asked to support the work of the Council and volunteer groups by disposing of litter responsibly and clearing up after their dogs.

More information about Hartlepool’s parks and open spaces is at www.hartlepool.gov.uk/parks

The authority is also encouraging people to provide feedback, make suggestions and report problems at www.hartlepool.gov.uk/parksreport