28 October 2020
Today, with the announcement of another 18 winners in Europe, it marks a record breaking 2,228 worldwide winners of the Green Flag Award so far in 2020.
If the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic has taught us anything, it’s how much we value our local parks and green spaces. All year round, an army of dedicated parks staff and volunteers look after these treasured places - from world-famous city parks to small community green spaces, botanic gardens and nature reserves.
Among the first time winners for 2020 are Wilhelmsburger Inselpark in Hamburg, Germany and Jonsereds trädgårdar in Partille, Gothenburg, Sweden.
Wilhelmsburger Inselpark, Hamburg - Germany
First time Award winner in 2020
Jonsereds trädgårdar, Partille kommun - Gothenburg, Sweden
First time Award winner in 2020
Across Europe, despite the challenges of the coronavirus pandeminc, park teams worked hard to maintain these much loved green spaces to the international standard for their local communities. Many of which are today celebrating successive years of achieving the coveted Award.
Celebrating it's 10th year of winning the Award was Abraham Ledeboerpark in Enschede, The Netherlands.
Abraham Ledeboerpark, Enschede - The Netherlands
Green Flag Award winner since 2011
Jurgen van Houdt, Alderman for Enschede Council said:
"This is great recognition of one of our most beautiful green pillars in Enschede, and for all the residents who work and enjoy it every day."
In Spain, The University of Navarra - Pamplona Campus reached their 3rd year of continuous accreditation, joining Universities in the UK, Ireland, Finland and Sweden who have also achieved the standard in 2020. Not to forget the fantastic Jardim Botânico do Porto, managed by the Natural History and Science Museum of the University of Porto.
University of Navarra, Pamplona Campus - Pamplona, Spain
Green Flag Award winner since 2018
The Green Flag Award® is a non-profit international accreditation program that recognises and rewards well managed parks and green spaces. Originating in England in 1996, today the Green Flag Award proudly flies over thousands of places in over 15 countries around the world. Now into its third decade, the Award is a sign to the public that the space is welcoming, well maintained and well managed, with the involvement of members of the community.
Parks and green spaces from 15 countries met the standard this year, including those from: Australia, Belgium, Finland, Germany, Mexico, The Netherlands, New Zealand, Portugal, Republic of Ireland, Spain, Sweden, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom and the United States of America.
You can view a full list of the 2020 winners on the main Green Flag Award website - explore our interactive map or select 'Winners List'
Green Flag Award International Development Manager, Carl McClean said:
“This achievement is huge recognition of the staff and volunteers, and the municipalities that support them, who have worked so hard to maintain parks a green spaces through this very difficult period for everybody.
“Parks and green spaces have been a lifeline to many people and we are delighted to be celebrating another record-breaking year for the Green Flag Award program”
Green Flag Award Program Manager, Paul Todd said:
“Parks and green spaces have never been more important for the physical and mental health of everyone."
“All the research shows that spending time in good-quality green space can improve people’s health and wellbeing, that is why it is important that they are managed to the recognised standard of the Green Flag Award. This is now something that millions more recognise after the challenges of 2020. All those involved in the Green Flag Award should be congratulated on their achievement.”
The current winners figures for each country are listed below:
|
No. |
Country |
Total |
|
1 |
Australia * |
10 |
|
2 |
Belgium |
6 |
|
3 |
Finland |
9 |
|
4 |
Germany |
2 |
|
5 |
Mexico |
2 |
|
6 |
The Netherlands |
2 |
|
7 |
New Zealand * |
30 |
|
8 |
Portugal |
3 |
|
9 |
Republic of Ireland |
84 |
|
10 |
Spain |
4 |
|
11 |
Sweden |
2 |
|
12 |
Turkey |
1 |
|
13 |
United Arab Emirates * |
11 |
|
14 |
United Kingdom |
2,061 |
|
15 |
USA * |
1 |
|
|
||
|
|
TOTAL |
2,224 |
|
*2019 figure - 2020 results still to be announced |
||
The Green Flag Award program (http://greenflagaward.org/) is run by the environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy, under licence from the UK Government department, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government. It is delivered in partnership to other countries around the world through national operators.
Keep Britain Tidy is a leading environmental charity. We inspire people to be litter-free, to waste less and to live more. We are run programmes including Eco-Schools, the Green Flag Award for parks and green spaces and the Blue Flag & Seaside Awards for beaches. To find out more about Keep Britain Tidy, our programmes and campaigns visit www.keepbritaintidy.org.
Any green space that is accessible to the public is eligible to enter for a Green Flag Award. Awards are given on an annual basis and winners must apply each year to renew their Green Flag Award status. A Green Flag Community Award recognises quality sites managed by voluntary and community groups. Green Heritage Site accreditation is judged on the treatment of the site’s historic features and the standard of conservation.
Press enquiries
Contact the Keep Britain Tidy press office:
Helen Bingham 01942 612617 [email protected]
Keep Britain Tidy Mobile: 07768 880016
Keep Britain Tidy has ISDN radio facilities for interviews
ISDN: 01942 322178
Please contact the press office in advance to make arrangements
