09 December 2020
You've helped us find the world’s favourite Green Flag Award parks by voting for yours in the People’s Choice - and now the results are in!
With over 50,000 votes cast, and in a year that has seen parks and green spaces serve a vital role for health and wellbeing worldwide, we're proud to announce the top ten international sites!
In alphabetical order, the top voted-for parks from ten countries are:
| Site Name |
Managing Organisation | Country |
| Abraham Ledeboerpark, Enschede | Gemeente Enschede Afdeling Stadsdeelbeer | Netherlands |
| Al Bahya Garden, Abu Dhabi | Abu Dhabi City Municipality | United Arab Emirates |
| Campus de la Universidad de Navarra , Pamplona | University of Navarra | Spain |
| Derrynane Historic Park, Kerry | Office of Public Works | Ireland |
| Incilipinar Park, Denizli | Denizli Metropolitan Municipality | Turkey |
| Jonsereds trädgårdar , Partille, Gothenburg | Partille Kommun | Sweden |
| Park Vordenstein, Shoten, Antwerp | ANB (Agentschap voor Natuur en Bos) | Belgium |
| Roma Street Parklands, Brisbane | City Parklands | Australia |
| Stadtpark – Botanischer Garten, Gütersloh | Fachbereich Grünflächen Stadt Gütersloh | Germany |
| Te Mata Park, Hawke's Bay | Te Mata Park Trust | New Zealand |
*Does not include UK voted sites: Click here to view the UK specific announcement
Jonsereds trädgårdar, Gothenburg, Sweden
Impressively - a first time Green Flag Award winner for 2020 made the top ten!
Jonsereds trädgårdar outside Gothenburg was the first municipal garden in Sweden to gain Green Flag Award status earlier in the year. This impressive haven of horticulture and wildlife features an historic manor house, complex garden rooms and regular events each year. The house has historic links to Scotland as the former home of factory mogul William Gibson, who ran a flax and hemp spinning mill harnessing hydro-power - forging a strong community in the town.
Te Mata Park, Hawkes Bay, New Zealand
On the other end of the Horticultural scale, New Zealand made the list this year with a particularly wild site - Te Mata Park, a rolling landscape of natural features which includes the majestic Te Mata Peak, towering above Hawke's Bay in New Zealand (a favourite for wine drinkers too!)
The University of Navarra Campus in Pamplona (cover photo) is the first University campus to make the global list. At 113 hectares it is the largest public green space in Pamplona, and last year saw the addition of a new 5km running route. 25 Universities won the Award this year, including sites in the UK, Ireland, Finland and Sweden.
Cristina Muñoz Corsini, Director of Campus Planning and Design for University of Navarra said:
"We are so happy. This award recognizes the effort and work of the gardening team and the rest of the campus services. At the same time, it encourages us to continue working to maintain a green and sustainable campus, also in the dimension of social sustainability, not only for the university community, but so that the whole city can enjoy it "
Elsewhere in Europe, Park Vordenstein in Shoten is also a relative newcomer, having gained the Award for the first time in 2019. It retains it's accreditation and made the Top Ten this year, joining a growing number of Green Flag Award parks in the Antwerp region of Belgium.
And in Ireland the Derrynane Historic Park in Country Kerry won the hearts of locals and visitors alike. The site is managed by Ireland's Office of Public Works - who celebrated 9 Green Flag Award wins in 2020.
Abraham Ledeboerpark, Enschede, The Netherlands
Appearing in the top voted parks list for the second year running is Abraham Ledeboerpark in Esnchede, Netherlands. The park is hugely popular in the area and also holds the record for the longest Green Flag Award winning park outside the UK - with 10 consecutive years of accreditation.
Andre Hardiek, Projectmedewerker for Gemeente Enschede said:
"On behalf of both our employees and our visitors, we are extremely thankful for this appreciation. We are very proud to join this list from all over the world and stand beside our fellow parks from other countries.
"This recognition proves the importance of well managed public green spaces in times of need - not just in The Netherlands, but indeed worldwide."
The People's Choice is voted on every year by members of the public. Parks rally votes via social media to encourage people to show their love for their local green spaces.
Carl McClean, International Development Manager for the Green Flag Award said:
"This isn't the first time this year that people have been vocal about their love for parks. The effects of the pandemic has meant that more and more communities are valuing the outdoor spaces they have local access to. I hope more sites in future years will achieve the Green Flag Award."
"The Award was originally established to provide a platform to recognise well managed parks and green spaces, and the people that look after them every year. However this year in particular it has been an honour for the Green Flag Award to play a special role in acknowledging their value and importance."
About the Green Flag Award
The Green Flag award now operates in 15 countries around the world including: Australia, Belgium, Germany, Spain, Sweden, Finland, The Netherlands, Portugal, Republic of Ireland, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, New Zealand, Mexico and the USA - celebrating over 2,000 Award winning parks and green spaces annually.
The Award is managed in the UK and internationally by Keep Britain Tidy and delivered in partnership with a network of national operators in other countries.
To find out more, or apply for an Award, whichever country you are based in; please feel free to explore our website and get in touch.
If you know of a park or a country not yet involved in the Green Flag Award that might be interested, please Contact Us
