Five Sunderland parks reach standard for international Green Flag award

The Green Flag Award scheme sets the standard for managing recreational outdoor spaces across the United Kingdom and around the world.

Environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy, which runs the scheme in the UK, confirmed today that Barnes, Mowbray, Hetton Lyons, Roker and Herrington Country Parks are among 68 green spaces across the North East to have reached the standards required to qualify – the most ever in the region.

Chief Executive Allison Ogden-Newton OBE said the awards recognised the work that went into looking after our outdoor spaces: “Parks are the beating heart of a community, providing countless benefits to people and wildlife,” she said

“They provide a green haven for everybody to enjoy, regardless of their age, social status, or ability to pay for access. It’s clear from our research that for quality green spaces to meaningfully contribute to our health and wellbeing, they must be universally accessible and fit for purpose.

“The Green Flag Award is a vital component in ensuring the continuing quality of our parks and green spaces, making sure they are managed to the highest standards and are safe and accessible.

“The news that a record number have achieved the Green Flag Award standard is testament to the hard work of the heroes tasked with looking after these national assets.”

The announcement comes as new research carried out by YouGov for Keep Britain Tidy revealed:

*85% of dog walkers in the North East said going to the park made them more relaxed, while 86% said it made them happier;

*93% of parents of children aged four to 11 in the region said going to the park makes their child happier, and 61% said it made their child calmer;

*18% of parents said a park that feels safe was the main thing they looked for when choosing where to visit;

*and 63% of North East parents said the reason they took their child or children to the park is because it is free.

The Green Flag Award scheme is managed by Keep Britain Tidy under licence from the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities.