Residents urged to help watch over popular park as it retains top quality award  

The park has again been granted a Green Flag Award – an accolade it has held since 2008.

The Green Flag Awards scheme, which is managed by environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy, recognises well-managed parks and green spaces, setting the benchmark for the management of green spaces across the United Kingdom and around the world.

However, joy at receiving the award has been tempered by a recent spate of vandalism and anti-social behaviour in the park.

Local people are being encouraged to enjoy the park to the full but also to help protect it by reporting any incidents or suspicious behaviour to the Police by calling 101.

Over the past couple of months, bowlers using the bowling green were verbally abused and objects were thrown at them, plants have been repeatedly ripped up from the flower beds, four silver birch trees were pulled up and destroyed and lawn areas were damaged by motor bikes and scooters.

Several thousands of pounds worth of damage have been caused and there are now no more plants available for restocking, meaning that several of the affected beds have had to be left empty.

Left to right: Councillor Gary Allen celebrates Ward Jackson Park’s Green Flag Award with Park Keeper Tony Corr, Gardener Steven Ryan, Quality and Safety Officer Debbie Kershaw and Apprentice Gardener Jakob Crinson

Councillor Gary Allen, Chair of Hartlepool Borough Council’s Adult and Community-Based Services Committee, said: “We are delighted that Ward Jackson Park has once again received the Green Flag Award – it’s testament to the hard work and dedication of the team that care for it.

“We would encourage people to get out into the park and enjoy all it has to offer – it’s a wonderful, free-to-access green space and it’s looking particularly lovely at this time of year.

“At the same time, we won’t tolerate the vandalism and anti-social behaviour we’ve seen recently from a few appalling people, and we’re asking residents to help us protect the park by being its ‘eyes and ears’ and contacting the Police immediately if they see any incidents or suspicious behaviour or have any information about the culprits.

“Ward Jackson Park has brought pleasure to generations of residents and visitors alike, and together we can stop a mindless few spoiling it for the rest of us.”

Acting Inspector Chris Phelan of Hartlepool Neighbourhood Policing Team said: “Ward Jackson Park is a lovely family park that everyone should be able to enjoy, without antisocial behaviour spoiling their visit.

“Activity such as those reported to police over the past few months in the park will not be tolerated.

“Please report any issues with antisocial behaviour to Hartlepool Police on 101.”