PARC Padarn country park in Llanberis is one of 248 parks and green spaces in Wales to have received the prestigious Green Flag Award and Green Flag Community Award.

This year’s winners include a diverse range of sites, from country parks and formal gardens, to allotments, woodlands and churchyards.

Now in its third decade, the international Green Flag Award is a sign to the public that a park or green space boasts the highest possible environmental standards, is beautifully maintained and has excellent visitor facilities.

Situated in 800 acres in the Llanberis area, Parc Padarn offers spectacular scenery across Llyn Padarn towards Dolbadarn Castle on to the magnificent mountains of Snowdonia.

Councillor Gareth Thomas, Gwynedd Council cabinet member for economy and community, said: “We’re delighted that Parc Padarn has secured the green flag again this year.

“I would like to thank the staff for all their hard work as well as all of the local volunteers for their dedication and their amazing work in helping to keep the area tidy.”

Wales still holds more than one-third of the UK’s Green Flag community sites, which are maintained and run by volunteers.

Julie James, the Welsh Government’s minister for climate change, said: “Green spaces are vital for mental and physical wellbeing and throughout the pandemic, we have seen how important these spaces have been for local communities.

“Wales still holds more than a third of the UK’s Green Flag community sites and it is fantastic to see more places in Wales receiving Green Flag Award and Green Flag Community Award.

“These landscapes play a vital role in delivering rich ecosystems and vibrant and resilient communities, and I congratulate all of the sites for providing excellent, year-round facilities and events for people in Wales.”

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.

Lucy Prisk, Green Flag coordinator at Keep Wales Tidy, added: “The pandemic showed us just how important high-quality parks and green spaces are to our communities.

“With more visitors than ever enjoying our green spaces, I’d like to congratulate the hard work of staff and volunteers who have maintained excellent standards at these sites.”

More details about Parc Padarn is available at: www.gwynedd.llyw.cymru/ParcPadarn.

A full list of award winners can be found on the Keep Wales Tidy website at: www.keepwalestidy.cymru.