Four York parks awarded the coveted Green Flag Award and officially recognised as some of the country’s best parks

Four of City of York Council’s parks have been awarded the prestigious Green Flag Award after achieving international quality mark for parks and green spaces.

The council and Friends of Groups – resident organisations who help maintain and improve the parks - are celebrating after receiving a Green Flag Award for Rowntree Park, West Bank Park, Glen Gardens and Clarence Gardens.

The parks are some of 2,250 in the UK to achieve the award, which is the international quality mark for parks and green spaces.

Rowntree Park (pictured) has taken back the award this year, having missed out on applying last year due to the extended flooding in spring.

Cllr Jenny Kent, Executive Member for Environment and Climate Emergency at City of York Council, said: “We’re absolutely delighted that four of York’s beautiful parks have received the Green Flag Award. It’s a real tribute to the dedication and hard work of our staff, volunteers and local Friends groups who care so passionately for these much-loved green spaces. As well as these awards, we are working towards achieving Green Flag status for Hull Road Park in the future.

“Spending time outdoors is vital for everyone’s health and wellbeing, and Parks and gardens like these are so important as free places to exercise, meet friends or simply enjoy nature – now more than ever. 

Green Flag Award Scheme Manager, Paul Todd MBE, said: “Congratulations to everyone involved in York who have worked tirelessly to ensure that it achieves the high standards required for the Green Flag Award.

“Quality parks and green spaces like these make the country a heathier place to live and work in, and a stronger place in which to invest.

“Crucially all of these parks in York are a vital green space for communities in the city to enjoy nature, and during the ongoing cost of living crisis it is a free and safe space for families to socialise. It also provides important opportunities for local people and visitors to reap the physical and mental health benefits of green space.”

The Green Flag Award scheme, managed by environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy under licence from the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government, recognises and rewards well-managed parks and green spaces, setting the benchmark standard for the management of green spaces across the United Kingdom and around the world.