Parks awarded Green Flag

12:30pm Wednesday 23rd July 2008

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A year of work by groundskeepers and managers paid off this week as three local parks and a crematorium garden were given an “award of excellence”

Cassiobury Park and West Herts Crematorium in Watford, King George Recreation Ground in Bushey and Chipperfield Common were given Green Flag awards this week for maintenance, improvement and events.

The awards, managed by the Civic Trust on behalf of the Department for Communities and Local Government, are given to parks that fulfil an eight point list of requirements. Parks must ensure that they are a welcoming place, secure, clean, well-maintained and community-focused.

King George Recreation Ground in Bushey marked a decade of success as it picked up its tenth green flag award.

Councillor Jean Heywood, Hertsmere Borough Council’s Environment Portfolio Holder, said: "It is fantastic news that King George Recreation Ground has retained its green flag status for a whole decade now. Thanks go to all the staff involved and not least, the community groups and volunteers who work hard to make the parks a special place to visit.”

Watford Borough Council’s Service Manager, Dave Cobb said he was delighted that Cassiobury Park received the accolade, but at the same time was keen not to get too carried away.

He said: “Part of the criteria for the award is to ensure the park has a site specific management plan, setting out plans for development.

“Over the next 12 months, the main playground by the pools will be completely refurbished and new signage erected at the main entrances. We will also continue to encourage and support community events and activities.”

Mayor of Watford, Dorothy Thornhill added: “We are really delighted to have won this award for a second time, having worked hard in the last year to improve the park even more for the thousands of people who visit every day.”

Chipperfield Common is the largest woodland in Dacorum, with an area of 47.5 hectares.

Dacorum Borough Council’s Portfolio Holder for Environment said: ''We know how important our precious green spaces are to local people and that is why we are absolutely committed to making sure they are safe, welcoming and well maintained.”

Praising West Herts Crematorium, the Green Flag committee said: “You can’t help but be moved on entering the Gardens of Remembrance, which are maintained to an exceptional standard.“