Parks clinch top Green Flag awards
GLASGOW’S green spaces are award winning.
Seven parks have been given a Green Flag Award by Keep Scotland Beautiful.
Kelvingrove Park, Glasgow Botanic Gardens and Pollok Country Park were all given the industry nod this year.
The award recognises that parks build healthy and stable communities and bring health benefits such as encouraging exercise, improving mental wellbeing and inspiring children to play.
A NUMBER of Glasgow parks have been given a prestigious award for their high standard and quality.
Seven parks in the city received the Green Flag Award which is administered by environmental charity Keep Scotland Beautiful.
Kelvingrove Park, Glasgow Botanic Gardens and Pollok Country Park were all given the industry nod this year.
The award recognises that parks build healthy and stable communities and bring health benefits such as encouraging exercise, improving mental wellbeing and inspiring children to play.
Councillor Kenny McLean, City Convener for Neighbourhoods, Housing and Public Realm, said: “There are some truly amazing things happening in our parks across the city and to be awarded with Green Flag status for seven of our best loved and popular parks is fantastic.
“We have a vast range of magnificent parks and gardens throughout our city and reaching the standards set by the nationally recognised Green Flag Award scheme is testament to the work our staff do in all weathers 12 months of the year.
“Our city’s reputation for having outstanding parks and open spaces is well-recognised and they are appreciated by the people of Glasgow and the many thousands who visit our Dear Green Place every year.”
A record 73 parks in Scotland were presented with the award, three more than last year.
Derek Robertson, chief executive of Keep Scotland Beautiful, said: “I would like to congratulate all 73 parks from across Scotland for achieving this prestigious benchmark. It is pleasing to see the number of Green Flag Awards in Scotland increasing year on year.
“Good quality green open spaces are vital to the health and wellbeing of local communities, families and individuals. Parks and open spaces are a fantastic asset - they are free to use and provide opportunities to exercise and socialise.
“With more Scottish parks flying the Green Flag Award than ever before, this record breaking number is a testament to the determination of park managers, local authorities and volunteers - whose hard work in turn brings about a raft of wider impacts on the community as a whole.”
The winning parks are run by local authorities, universities and community groups.
Matt Lowther, head of place and equity at NHS Health Scotland, said: “It is important that the places and spaces in which we live, work and play are designed to promote good health and reduce health inequalities. Having access to good quality green space is an essential part of this.
“It means people are more likely to be physically active and socially connected. In many cases, the health-promoting effect is even greater for those on lower incomes.
“Good quality parks can help to reduce health inequalities and so if we want a fairer, healthier Scotland, we need good quality parks.
“Evidence shows that if people think a park is well maintained and easy to reach, they will use it.
“A good park is all of these things and the Green Flag Award recognises that.
“That is why, as the national health board responsible for improving health and reducing health inequalities, we are delighted that more parks than ever before in Scotland are achieving Green Flag status.”