Rhondda Cynon Taf once again has some of the finest parks in Wales - it’s official! Keep Wales Tidy has unveiled this year’s Green Flag Award winners, the international mark of a quality park or green space.
Green Flags will be flying at Dare Valley Country Park, Aberdare; Taff’s Well Park and Ynysangharad War Memorial Park, Pontypridd; in recognition of their excellent visitor facilities, high environmental standards, and commitment to delivering great quality green spaces.
Keep Wales Tidy has also presented Green Flag Community Awards to Butchers Pool, Ynysybwl; Blaen-y-Cwm Chapel Quiet Garden; Lee Gardens Pool, Penrhiwceiber; Cwm Clydach Countryside Park; and Daerwynno Outdoor Centre, Llanwonno; Eithin; and St Winifred’s Church, Penrhiwceiber..
Councillor Ann Crimmings, Rhondda Cynon Taf Council’s Cabinet Member for Environment and Leisure, said: “Once again our wonderful parks and green spaces have received national recognition at the annual Green Flag Awards.
“Our local parks have always been wonderful sanctuaries within our communities that are well used and appreciated by people of all ages, especially during the difficult times we have all endured in recent years.
“But our parks and green spaces continue to play a vital role in connecting us to nature – they are there for us all to visit and enjoy, all year around. I would like to thank all the staff and volunteers for the work they do to make our parks such special places.
“The Green Flag Awards and Community Awards are an international mark of a quality park or green spaces, and I am delighted that once again this year, we are proudly flying the Green Flag across Rhondda Cynon Taf.”
A total of 265 parks and green spaces across the country have received the prestigious Green Flag Award and Green Flag Community Award, from country parks and formal gardens, to allotments, woodlands and churchyards.
The Green Flag Award programme is delivered in Wales by environmental charity Keep Wales Tidy, with support from Welsh Government.
Now in its third decade, the international Green Flag Award is a sign to the public that a park or green space boasts the highest possible environmental standards, is beautifully maintained and has excellent visitor facilities.
Independent green space experts volunteered their time in early autumn last year to judge applicant sites against strict criteria, including biodiversity, cleanliness, environmental management, and community involvement.
Welsh Government Minister for Climate Change, Julie James, said: “The standard required to achieve Green Flag status is very high, so I want to congratulate all of the sites recognised for providing excellent, year-round facilities to local people and visitors alike.
“It’s fantastic to see we still hold more than a third of the UK’s Green Flag community sites in Wales – especially as the last two years have taught us all of the importance of nature and green spaces on our mental and physical wellbeing.”
Lucy Prisk, Green Flag Coordinator at Keep Wales Tidy said: “The last few years have really shown us just how important high-quality parks and green spaces are to our communities. With more visitors than ever enjoying our green spaces, I’d like to congratulate the hard work of staff and volunteers who have maintained excellent standards at these sites.”
A full list of award winners can be found on the Keep Wales Tidy website www.keepwalestidy.cymru
Posted on 10/08/2022