Green award for Listowel park a first

PRESTIGIOUS GREEN FLAG AWARDED TO NORTH KERRY IS FIRST FOR COUNTY

RESIDENTS of Listowel have been saying it for years, but they can now officially say that their park is special – after it was awarded a prestigious Green Flag award last week.

The award provides international recognition and is a benchmark for green spaces, indicating that they are clean, safe and well-managed – similar to the Blue Flag accreditation for beaches.

The park is only one of 43 to receive this accreditation within Ireland, and it is the first time ever that a Kerry park has received the award.

In fact, only 1,800 parks worldwide have been chosen to receive this flag.

Some of the criteria under which parks are judged for this award are conservation and heritage; safety and security; cleanliness and maintenance; sustainability; community; and management.

“This is wonderful news for Listowel,” Listowel Municipal District Cathaoirleach Aoife Thornton said. “This amenity has provided a place of enjoyment and happy memories for generations of townspeople.

“It has continuously developed since with the addition of the many amenities now located within it, and it will continue to be sensitively developed by Kerry County Council for the enjoyment of the people of Listowel and north Kerry.

“This award is recognition of the hard work of many people since its opening in May 1975.”