22 July 2016
Aberdeenshire parks celebrate 2016 Green Flag Award success
Environmental charity Keep Scotland Beautiful has announced a record breaking number of parks from across Scotland have been presented with a Green Flag Award, including two from Aberdeenshire, in recognition of their high standards and provision of quality outdoor space.
The Green Flag Award, administered in Scotland by Keep Scotland Beautiful, is a benchmark for quality green space. The winning Aberdeenshire parks, run by Aberdeenshire Council, join almost 70 others from across the country that are celebrating receiving the award.
The announcement confirmed that a raft of Green Flag Award parks Scotland-wide retained their Green Flag titles, with Barnhill Rock Garden in Dundee and both Braidburn Valley Park and Harrison Park in Edinburgh receiving the award for the tenth year running.
Seaton Park in Aberdeen, The Helix in Falkirk and Castlebank Park in South Lanarkshire were amongst those presented with the award for the first time, along with the first cemetery, New Dumbarton Cemetery in West Dunbartonshire to be awarded.
The Aberdeenshire parks to receive an award are:
● Aden Country Park
● Haddo Park
Chair of Aberdeenshire Council’s Education, Learning and Leisure Committee, Cllr Alison Evison, said: “This is great news for Aberdeenshire, and particularly for both of these well-known country parks.
“The Green Flag Award is the latest good news for Aden Country Park, which has just secured funding for an ambitious restoration and development project, and Haddo House and Country Park has also benefited from significant regeneration in recent years.”
Committee vice-chair, Cllr Charles Buchan, said: “These awards are well-deserved by both parks, which benefit from a huge amount of community interest and support from a range of partners, and draw so many tourists every year.
“I am very pleased the parks have secured Green Flag status which is a great recognition of the hard work and good spirit of all involved in keeping these attractions interesting and accessible to visitors.”
All parks are assessed by volunteer judges with a background in park management, conservation or ecology. Applicants are judged against testing criteria which includes assessing whether the park or green space is welcoming, safe, well-maintained and secure.
Dr Lindsay Montgomery, CBE, Chairman of Keep Scotland Beautiful, said: “Good quality green space is vital to the health and wellbeing of local communities, families and individuals – that is why it is fantastic to see Scotland’s parks and green spaces going from strength to strength.
“More Scottish parks are flying the Green Flag Award than ever before. This record breaking number is a testament to the hard work and determination of park managers, local authorities and volunteers.
“It is great to see such a concerted effort across Scotland to improve our open spaces. We are proud of all our award winners, who work year round, to make Scotland’s parks and public spaces beautiful.”
To be considered for the awards, the park managing authority must apply. Further information on how to see your local park involved in the Green Flag Awards can be found at: www.keepscotlandbeautiful.org/greenflagaward