City is flying the flag as five parks are given green awards
Five Stirling district parks have been presented with an environmental award.
Environmental charity Keep Scotland Beautiful – which administers the International Green Flag Award – has announced that the Stirling area parks are among 71 across Scotland to receive the gong.
The five Stirling parks are: Beechwood Park (St Ninians); Causewayhead Park; Ladywell Park (Bannockburn), Pullar Memorial Park (Bridge of Allan) and Breadalbane Park (Killin).
Stirling Council environment and housing committee convener councillor Jim Thomson said:“It is brilliant to see so many of Stirling’s parks achieve Green Flag status.
“The quality of our open spaces plays a big part in making Stirling’s towns and areas must-visit destinations where people want to come and spend time and money.
“These prestigious awards underline that we know who our park users are, what they want from their parks and are providing the resources to make sure they enjoy a positive experience.”
The International Green Flag Award celebrates well maintained parks and greenspaces and supports the opportunities that they provide to enable exercise, improve mental wellbeing and provide safe spaces for play. Almost 2000 parks across the world have achieved the award.
Keep Scotland Beautiful chief executive Derek Robertson said:“I would like to congratulate the award winning parks from Stirling. Receiving this prestigious international benchmark recognises all of the hard work that has gone into maintaining and managing these precious green open spaces.
“Every single one of these parks provides an invaluable service to the local communities that it serves – from creating a safe space to play, to think, to exercise – helping to address many of the health and wellbeing challenges we face as a country.”
Conservative environment spokesperson Councillor Ross Oxburgh said:“Being awarded a Green Flag is indeed recognition that the parks are achieving the criteria to get one but that does not mean a lot more can’t be done. One of the main council responsibilities is grass cutting and picking up the cuttings would make a huge difference.
“I also note there is no mention of the work carried out by community groups and volunteers that contribute greatly to the park’s appearance.”