30 June 2023
Kurpark Warmbad-Villach, a privately owned public park managed by Gesundheits – und Thermenresort Warmbad-Villach, is celebrating winning the first ever Green Flag Award accredited in Austria.
Dr Leonore Lukeschitsch – responsible for Art, Culture and Heritage for Gesundheits- und Thermenresort Warmbad-Villach said:
"We are very proud that the Green Flag Award is now flying over our park. We appreciate the valuable suggestions and ideas that were given to us during the evaluation. This award will further strengthen the future cooperation with our partners - the Dobratsch Nature Park, the [Kunstwerk] Krastal and the City of Villach"
Image 1: The park features a number of public sculptures amongst a wide range of specimen trees
Warmbad-Villach is renowned throughout Europe for it’s naturally occurring hot springs, and for over 2,000 years has drawn visitors seeking health and wellbeing from it’s thermal waters.
Today the area hosts a number of hotels, spa complexes and hospital treatment centres focused on water therapy. Forming the central focus of this landscape is the historic Kurpark Warmbad, - a 5 hectare parkland set out in the 1870’s to compliment the hotel areas.
Image 2: The "Kiss and ride" drop off area, adjacent to the KärntenTherme swimming pool and spa, with public art in the background.
Robert Walton – member of the gardening team that work with other departments to maintain the park said:
"Winning the Green Flag Award means so much to me and the staff that help to maintain the park. It demonstrates that we have an inviting environment, which creates a positive benefit for our visitors, employees and the local community. Through the Management Plan we intend to implement a programme of improvements that makes the park fit for the future in a changing climate."
To read more about the park and visit the website click here.
Image 3: Left to right - Dr Leonore Lukeschitsch, Johanna Novak and Robert Walton of Gesundheits- und Thermenresort Warmbad-Villach join Green Flag Award judge James Jones-McFarland of Arun Council, England.
Carl McClean, International Development Manager for the Green Flag Award said:
“It is really exciting to see Kurpark Warmbad achieve the first Green Flag Award in Austria. The attention to horticulture and a focus on celebrating landscape sculpture really impressed the judges. Well done to everyone involved across various departments at Warmbaderhof who deserve this recognition for their hard work”
Image 4: Kurpark Warmad is an ideal starting point to explore the wider Dobratsch Nature Park
Global winners
For an interactive global map of current winners, visit: https://www.greenflagaward.org/award-winners/
At the time of publication, the global annual Green Flag Award totals are:
|
Country |
Total |
|
Australia |
5 |
|
Austria |
1 |
|
Belgium |
8 |
|
Finland |
12 |
|
France |
3 |
|
Germany |
3 |
|
Ireland |
104 |
|
Mexico |
7 |
|
Netherlands |
2 |
|
New Zealand |
24 |
|
Portugal |
5 |
|
South Korea |
1 |
|
Spain |
4 |
|
Sweden |
2 |
|
Turkey |
5 |
|
United Arab Emirates |
35 |
|
United Kingdom |
2,208 |
|
USA |
1 |
|
TOTAL |
2,430 |
Further information
The Green Flag Award® is a non-profit international accreditation programme that recognises and rewards well managed parks and green spaces. Today the Green Flag Award proudly flies above more than 2,400 places in 17 countries around the world.
The programme is managed internationally by environmental Charity Keep Britain Tidy, alongside a network of National Operators in several countries. See the website Network page for more information.
To find out more in general, or apply for an Award, whichever country you are based in; explore the Green Flag Award website: https://www.greenflagaward.org, or alternatively click here for a contact form.
