Two West Leeds parks have been awarded the Green Flag Award after being recognised as being of international quality.
Kirkstall Abbey and Pudsey Park are both managed by Leeds City Council and have again been listed among the best in the country.
The Leeds parks are some of a record breaking 2,391 in the UK to achieve the award this year.
The scheme, managed by environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy, recognises and rewards well-managed parks and green spaces.
Other Leeds parks to receive a Green Flag award include Golden Acre Park, Middleton Park, Otley Chevin Forest Park, Roundhay Park and the Temple Newsam Estate.
Councillor James Gibson, Leeds City Council’s executive member for environment, said: “We’re really proud to have these brilliant parks in Leeds once again be recognised as some of the best in the country.
“It is a real testament to the hard work, passion and dedication of our teams and the volunteers who work hard to care for these spaces, ensuring it’s maintained to a high standard for visitors and residents to enjoy every single day.”
Volunteers from organisations including Pudsey in Bloom and Friends of Kirkstall Abbey Park also work to improve their respective parks.
Paul Todd MBE, Green Flag Award Manager at Keep Britain Tidy, said: “With public services under pressure, investing in parks is not a luxury, it’s a practical, preventative solution and one of the most visible ways to improve people’s quality of life.
“Leeds City Council have shown what can be achieved when parks are properly supported and managed. As we celebrate 30 years of the Green Flag Award, we want every community to have access to green spaces like this that are safe, welcoming and maintained to a high standard. “Congratulations to everyone involved.”
Sponsored content
The planting around the beautiful band stand in Pudsey Park is horrible, the great big long spikey Bush things are hiding the building. It looked better a few years ago, when lovely flowers were planted around at ground level and hanging baskets overflowing with gorgeous flowers hung around the band stand. All cost cuts I daresay, but it’s ruined the look of a beautiful feature in our Park
This is great news and we should be very proud and celebrate the achievement. I love the more natural looking planting with what I believe are Cordyline and Phormium. Well done.