Six Guildford Parks Awarded Green Flags

Published on: 2 Aug, 2012
Updated on: 20 Aug, 2012

Stoke Park venue for the Olympic Torch event

Six Guildford parks to have won green flags in a national Keep Britain Tidy competition. Included on the list is Stoke Park the venue for the Olympic Torch Celebration.

To win the award parks need to demonstrate that they are well maintained, provide good facilities, and are welcoming and safe. Click here for full judging criteria.

The Castle Grounds

Guildford’s successful parks, which are owned and cared for by Guildford Borough Council, each went through rigorous inspections to qualify. All the parks submitted successfully won the award. They were: Allen House Grounds, The Castle Grounds, Stoke Park, Sutherland Memorial Park, Riverside Nature Reserve and Guildford Crematorium grounds.

Nick Sutcliffe, Lead Councillor for Environmental Services, commented: “Green flags are only won by top performing parks so this is great news for everyone. Parks and green spaces are so important to quality of life and provide a focus for community events. Stoke Park, for instance, has just been centre stage hosting Guilfest – closely followed by the highly successful Olympic Torch celebration.”

Despite weeks of torrential rain preceding the Olympic Torch celebration, Guildford Borough Parks staff managed to get the park in great condition for the day which was enjoyed by thousands of people. The ground is now being cultivated with new grass seed planted where necessary to repair damage from the event. “We are working hard to get the park back to tip top condition for the Autumn sports season” adds Cllr Sutcliffe.

Damage to Stoke Park under repair following a wet GuilFest

Paul Todd, Green Flag Award Scheme Manager said: “A green flag provides national recognition for the achievements of all those whose hard work and dedication has helped to create these fantastic places for us all to enjoy.”

Jubilee Wood, Stoke Park

A council spokeswoman added: “We have a range of different parks, sports pitches and green areas in the borough.

“Many of these would not would not meet all the criteria or scale suitable for a green flag award. The kind of open spaces that are suitable have high footfall and a mix of facilities for the community.

“We are pleased that Riverside Nature Reserve and Guildford Crematorium have received awards in addition to the more traditional parks.

“We have increased the number of parks we enter each year from two to six, and may increase this number of entries in the future where areas are developed.”

The total budget for Parks and Countryside Services is for £2,368,220 for 2012/13. There are 54 parks, green spaces and countryside areas in Guildford Borough.