Newport parks celebrate Green Flag status
Posted on Thursday 14th October 2021
Two Newport parks have once again been recognised for their environmental credentials with a national award.
Beechwood Park and Belle Vue Park have both been awarded Green Flag status for 2021/22 by Keep Wales Tidy.
A third council managed site, Gwent Crematorium, has also received Green Flag recognition.
The Green Flag Awards recognise publicly accessible parks and open spaces for their excellent visitor facilities, high environmental standards, and commitment to delivering great quality green space.
This will be the fifteenth consecutive year that Belle Vue has been awarded Green Flag status, whilst it is the fifth consecutive year for Gwent Crematorium and the fourth year in a row for Beechwood.
Belle Vue park has also retained its Green Heritage status for a fourth consecutive year.
Cllr Deb Harvey, cabinet member for culture and leisure, said “I am delighted that once again Belle Vue and Beechwood parks have retained their Green Flag status.
“It’s particularly pleasing that this marks the fifteenth consecutive year that Belle Vue Park has received the award.
“I’d like to thank our officers for their hard work in caring for our green spaces which has made this brilliant achievement possible. I also want to give thanks to our gardeners and all the help from the Friends of Newport Ornamental Parks.”
Cllr Roger Jeavons, deputy leader of the council and cabinet member for city services, added “I’m delighted to see Gwent Crematorium recognised for a fifth consecutive year with a Green Flag Award.
“We have worked hard as a council to make our public access spaces as green-friendly as possible. These awards demonstrate that commitment.”
248 parks and green spaces across the country have received the prestigious Green Flag Award and Green Flag Community Award – from country parks and formal gardens, to allotments, woodlands and churchyards.
The Green Flag Award programme is delivered in Wales by environmental charity Keep Wales Tidy, with support from Welsh Government.
Independent green space experts volunteered their time in early autumn to judge applicant sites against eight strict criteria, including biodiversity, cleanliness, environmental management, and community involvement.