City flies the Green Flag for best parks
CARDIFF has the highest number of quality parks and green spaces in Wales, a panel of outdoor experts has decided.
The capital achieved 12 coveted Green Flag Awards for the excellent standard of its public gardens – more than any other local authority in Wales.
Bute Park, Cardiff Bay Barrage and Flat Holm Island were among the winners of the international mark of quality.
Peter Bradbury, Cardiff council’s cabinet member for culture and leisure, said: “I’m delighted we have been able to add to the number of flags we have been awarded this year with the Cardiff Bay Wetlands being recognised for the first time and that the city has continued to gain more of the prestigious Green Flags than anywhere else in Wales.
“I encourage people in Cardiff to get out and about and enjoy them this summer.”
In total, 183 parks and green spaces in Wales have received the Green Flag Award or the Green Flag Community Award – the benchmark for outdoor areas that are managed by volunteers.
Cardiff achieved a total of 24 awards, followed by the Vale of Glamorgan with 18 and Swansea with 14.
The scheme is delivered in Wales by Keep Wales Tidy, with support from Welsh Government and judged by green-space experts, who assess applicant sites against eight strict criteria.
They include horticultural standards, cleanliness, environmental management and community in- volvement. Lucy Prisk, Green Flag coordinator at Keep Wales Tidy, said: “The Green Flag Award is all about connecting people with the very best parks and green spaces.
“Keep Wales Tidy is proud to run the scheme in Wales because we know having a good quality environment can have a big impact on our communities, health and well-being, and economy.”
Among this year’s first-time recipients of the award are Aberfan Cemetery, Swansea University and The Kymin in Penarth.
Winners of the Green Flag Community Award include Chapter Community Garden in Cardiff, Barry Community Garden in the Vale of Glamorgan and Cwm Clydach Countryside Park in Rhondda Cynon Taf.