Five green spaces in Hitchin, Letchworth, Baldock and Royston have been named as among the best in the UK.
The award-winning green spaces in North Herts were Oughtonhead Common in Hitchin for the ninth year running, Ivel Springs LNR (local nature reserve) in Baldock for the tenth year running, Howard Park and Gardens in Letchworth for the 11th year running, Norton Common LNR for the 15th year running, and Priory Memorial Gardens in Royston for the 15th year running.
The Green Flag scheme is managed by Keep Britain Tidy, which also runs Love Parks Week from July 26 to August 4. The week encourages communities to look after and enjoy their local green spaces.
Cllr Mick Debenham, executive member for environment, leisure & greenspaces at North Herts Council, said: “We are so pleased to continue our run of Green Flag Awards! These parks, gardens and nature reserves across the district play an important role in residents’ quality of life.
"They provide valuable places to relax, exercise, play and meet others in, improving people’s physical and mental health.
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“These green havens, especially wild areas and nature reserves, also play a vital part in our environment by supporting local biodiversity which helps fight climate change – they provide food and shelter for pollinators such as bees and small mammals like hedgehogs, and store carbon and improve our air quality.”
“We are lucky to have such a wide range of greenspace on our doorstep, and it really is thanks to John O'Conner Grounds Maintenance and all the wonderful volunteers who work alongside Country Management Service, part of Hertfordshire County Council.
"Please respect our greenspaces and other users - keep dogs under control and clean up after them, and put your rubbish in a litter or recycling bin or take it home.”
Paul Todd MBE, Keep Britain Tidy's Green Flag award scheme manager, added: “It’s important that these free to use spaces are maintained to the Green Flag Award standard, making them accessible for all members of the community while ensuring the environment is protected.
"We know that staff and volunteers work tirelessly to ensure they maintain the high standards of the Green Flag Award, so everyone involved should feel extremely proud of their achievement.”
An annual event organised through ParksHerts was hosted in North Herts this year at The Broadway Hotel in Letchworth, attended by council staff, contractors and volunteers from across the county, and Michele Walde and Paul Todd from Keep Britain Tidy.
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