FOUR beautiful public parks in Rhondda Cynon Taf have once again secured the internationally recognised Green Flag Award.
Each of them will proudly fly the Green Flag from Keep Wales Tidy, having met the highest-possible standards in terms of environment, maintenance and visitor facilities.
Ynysangharad War Memorial Park, Pontypridd, Aberdare Park, Dare Valley Country Park in Aberdare and Taff’s Well Park are all Green Flag Award 2026 winners – and have each held the status year on year for up to 12 years!
The parks’ success in the awards is testament to the hard work and commitment of an army of Rhondda Cynon Taf Council staff who work throughout the year, in all conditions, to protect the open spaces for all.
Rhondda Cynon Taf Council is proud and committed to providing beautifully maintained green spaces and parks.
It also wants to thank and congratulate the like-minded community and voluntary organisations that secured Green Flag status for the spaces they care for. In total, 21 parks and open spaces in Rhondda Cynon Taf were awarded Green Flag status in 2026.
Cllr Scott Emanuel, Rhondda Cynon Taf Council’s Cabinet Member for Communities, Culture and Leisure, said: “Once again Rhondda Cynon Taf’s beautiful open spaces have bloomed at the Keep Wales Tidy Green Flag Awards 2026.
“Our continued, year on year success in meeting this global standard is testament to the commitment we have made to our communities to ensure parks and open spaces are safe, sustainable and offer the best possible visitor experience.
“This is our ambition for each of the 100 parks and 215 play areas we manage across the county borough, not just the four that have secured Green Flag status.
“We recognise how important it is for people of all ages to have access to high quality open spaces, places where they can walk, relax, play, enjoy sports and their free time.
“Huge credit and thanks must be given to the Council staff who work in all weather conditions to maintain and protect our parks and open spaces – from planting and maintaining flower beds and greenery and installing new fencing and pathways to litter picking, repairing play areas and keeping changing rooms in good condition.
“Well done to all of the community organisations that worked so hard to secure Green Flag status for the spaces they manage – between us we have delivered a range of exceptional parks and open spaces for all to enjoy.”
The public parks that have been awarded Green Flag status in 2026 are:
Ynysangharad War Memorial Park, Pontypridd: A jewel in the centre of historic Pontypridd and home to the National Lido of Wales, Lido Ponty. It also boasts acres of open space, a bandstand that celebrates its centenary this year and a “secret” sunken garden. With Lido Play adventure playground as well as sports courts, it offers something to everyone. Canolfan Calon Taf in the park is a busy and welcoming hub offering a range of volunteering and community sessions, events, classes and more.
Aberdare Park, Aberdare: This beautiful Victorian Park has a recently refurbished play area with toddler sensory zone and outdoor fitness equipment for older children, plus a boating lake with swan and dragon pedal boats, café, tennis courts and more. The first modern-day Eisteddfod was held in the park in 1861 and you can see the Gorsedd stone circle here. It also has a stunning King George V Coronation fountain – one of only two in the world. The other can be found outside Raffles Hotel in Singapore.
Taff’s Well Park, Taff’s Well: This quiet, relaxing park has manicured grounds, a play area, tennis court, bowling green and other sporting facilities. It is also home to the only thermal spring in Wales.
Dare Valley Country Park, Aberdare: This huge open space has hundreds of open space to explore via walking trails, lakeside strolls and mountain-top climbs, plus an adventure playground, café, on-site accommodation and a caravan park.
It has it at its own bespoke family mountain bike trails and pump tracks at Gravity Family Bike Park, as well as Dare Valley Trout Fishery and outdoor fitness opportunities and wellness events. Find out more here:
Green Flag awards are held every year by Keep Wales Tidy and see independent judges visit each site to award marks against strict criteria across themes including biodiversity, cleanliness, environmental management, safety, community involvement and visitor experience.
Those parks that win the award can fly the Green Flag with pride, an international sign of the standards that have been reached.
As well as the four Council parks, the below open spaces also secured Green Flag Awards:
- Cwmaman Community Woodland Group
- A Time to Grow, Treherbert
- Pixie Bridge Woods, Treherbert
- Gilfach Goch Community Association Garden
- Blaen Y Cwm Chapel Quiet Garden
- Brynna Allotment Community Garden
- Cwm Clydach Countryside Park
- Penrhiwceiber Welcome Centre
- Meadow Street Community Garden and Woodland
- St Winifred’s Church Penrhiwceiber
Find out more about the Green Flag awards here.
Posted on 14/07/2026