09 April 2020
The Green Flag Award for parks and green spaces has launched a social media artwork challenge called #perfectparks
The campaign is a bid to counteract feelings of isolation during the COVID-19 global pandemic, whilst recognising the importance of parks. The challenge calls upon people of all ages - especially families with children, to create pictures that celebrate the features that would make up their 'perfect park'.
Budding young artists draw or paint the best things they love about parks and green spaces - such as trees, plants and flowers, alongside popular activities such as playing with friends, going for a walk with your family or exploring nature.
Some creatives may also choose to include some 'Parkitecture' - the buildings and historic features that make many parks so interesting and important.
Regular park characters such as dog-walkers, bird spotters and the park staff themselves are a few other favorites already brought to life in artworks bursting with colour.
Public parks and green spaces have featured prominently in recent media coverage of the global pandemic, as highly valuable areas for people to exercise responsibly following social-distancing guidelines. And they will undoubtedly play a vital role for communities as countries slowly emerge from the pandemic.
David Winslow - Community Parks Officer for Derby City Council and Green Flag Award judge, got his 7 year old daughter Florence involved in the challenge when she said she was missing her regular trip to their favourite park - which also happens to be Dad's workplace! Green Flag Award winning Markeaton Park is Derby’s most visited park and is one of the most popular attractions in the East Midlands of the UK.
Florence, 7 said: "We are missing all the parks we used to visit, but instead I've had a lot of fun drawing all the best bits into one #perfectpark"
Anybody wishing to take part simply shares a photo of their artwork on social media with the hashtag #perfectparks. Why not join us in celebrating the value of parks today!
David also said:
"The lockdown situation in many countries has made it really obvious just how important parks and green spaces are for everyone. It's essential that adequate funding and support for parks properly recognises their huge contribution to society... #perfectparks is just one way that we can show the love"
Carl McClean - International Development Manager for the Green Flag Award said:
"#Perfectparks is a great way for people to show their love and recognition for these amazing places that we too often take for granted. It's really important when restrictions are lifted that the essential role parks and green spaces have played isn't forgotten and parks are adequately valued by local, regional and national governments."
The Green Flag Award® is a non-profit international accreditation scheme that recognises and rewards well managed parks and green spaces. Originating in England in 1996, today the Green Flag Award proudly flies above more than 2,000 places in over 15 countries around the world.
Any space that is publicly accessible and free to enter is eligible to apply and the programme welcomes applications from new countries every year.
To find out more and to apply for the Award, whichever country you are based in - submit an enquiry form here or email [email protected]
Follow the Green Flag Award:
Twitter: @GreenFlagAwdInt
Instagram: greenflagaward
LinkedIn: Green Flag Award
