Two West Leeds parks have picked up a coveted Green Flag award – an international quality mark for parks and green spaces.
Both Pudsey Park and Kirkstall Abbey picked up the award, with Pudsey scooping the award despite the closure of the much-loved West Leeds Country Park Visitors Centre and the glass house.
As well as being maintained by the council, Kirkstall Abbey is supported by the Friends of Kirkstall Abbey Park group and Pudsey Park by Pudsey in Bloom volunteers. A new play area is currently being installed in Pudsey Park, with work expected to last throughout the summer.
Councillor Salma Arif, Leeds City Council’s executive member for public health and active lifestyles, said:
“After two years that have seen our parks and green spaces play a vital role for people through lockdowns as a place to relax, exercise and meet friends and family safely, the news that these parks have achieved the Green Flag Award is testament to the hard work and dedication of the team that make the green spaces a great space that everyone can enjoy.”
Commenting on the news that these parks have met the Green Flag Award standard, Keep Britain Tidy’s Accreditation Manager Paul Todd, said: “These parks are vital green spaces for the community in Leeds. This award is testament to all the hard work of staff and volunteers, who do so much to ensure that they maintain the high standards demanded by the Green Flag Award.”
“The Green Flag Award scheme, managed by environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy under licence from the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, recognises and rewards well-managed parks and green spaces, setting the benchmark standard for the management of green spaces across the United Kingdom and around the world.”
Other Leeds parks to receive the award include Golden Acre Park, Middleton Park, Otley Chevin Forest Park, Roundhay Park and Temple Newsam Estate.
