12 January 2017
Fifteen inspirational parks and green spaces across England are celebrating today after receiving the Green Flag Award's Special Award for Innovation.
Fifteen inspirational parks and green spaces across England are celebrating today after receiving the Green Flag Award's Special Award for Innovation.
The Award is presented to Green Flag Award or Community Award winning sites that have made changes which have brought outstanding benefits to both their site and the local community. In addition to parks, the winners cover a diverse range - from universities to woodlands, from reservoirs to the Eurotunnel.
Innovation is classed as something which is new to that particular site; it must have been introduced in the past three years. It is not necessarily dependent upon a large financial investment; it must simply bring improvement to the community's experience of the site.
This year's winners are:
Samphire Hoe, Eurotunnel - creation of an Education Shelter and exhibition space
Jubilee Meadow and Orchard, Bredfield - creation of wildflower meadow and orchard hosting nature inspired events for the local community
The Secret Garden, Chorlton Manor - opening of a Saturday morning community café selling own grown and locally sourced produce
Parndon Wood Nature Reserve, Harlow - partnership with ECCO and Story Telling Book based in Parndon Wood
Roe Green Walled Garden, Kingsbury - creation of a stumpery.
Rutland Water, Anglian Water - creation on a beach on the shore of the reservoir
Lancaster University, Lancaster - edible campus student and staff engagement project
Jephson Gardens and Mill Gardens, Warwick - redesign of sensory garden and Project Sunflower
Happy Valley, Croydon - smartphone based nature trail
Main Campus, University of Bradford - accessible sensory garden designed to provide horticultural therapy to students and staff
Tarvin Community Woodland, Chester - working with a housing developer to extend the community owned woodland
Wirral Country Park, Wirral - Barbeques 4 All, an innovative brick built disposable barbeque stand including safe disposal container.
Wyre Estuary Country Park, Wyre - 24 hour BioBlitz to raise awareness of the wildlife found in the Wyre Estuary.
Winsford Gardens, Penge - creation of community food growing space and a bog garden to increase biodiversity
Hatton Hill Park, Litherland - creation of the Pavilion Community Garden
And our highly commended sites are:
Sandringham Park, Wetherby - installation of gym equipment with money raised by local community
Alexandra Palace Park, London - partnership with local horticulture college providing practical experience for students
North Park, Bootle - community growing space
Twinkle Park and Charlotte Turner Gardens, London - Viking ship toddler play area
