Green awards for Conwy parks

TEN Conwy parks and green spaces have received the prestigious Green Flag Award and Green Flag Community Awards.

Now in its third decade, the Green Flag Award by charity Keep Wales Tidy (KWT) is a sign to the public that a park or green space has high environmental standards, is well-maintained by councils and volunteer groups, and has a high standard of visitor facilities.

Experts judged applicant sites in Conwy in early autumn against eight strict criteria, including biodiversity, cleanliness, environmental management and community involvement.

Those awarded include Queens Gardens, Colwyn Bay; Wynn Gardens, Old Colwyn; Pentre Mawr, Abergele; Bodlondeb, Conwy; Cae Derw, Llandudno Junction; Bryn Euryn, Rhos-on-Sea; Happy Valley, Llandudno; Haulfre Gardens, Llandudno; Great Orme Country Park, Llandudno; and Llanrhos Cemetery.

Greg Robbins, Conwy County Borough Council’s cabinet member for environment and transportation, said: “We are delighted to be given these prestigious awards for our important parks and green spaces. I’d like to thank all the staff, Friends Groups, community groups and volunteers who have worked so hard to make this possible. We ask everyone using our open spaces to respect them and dispose of any litter responsibly.”

Locations that were awarded the status last year include Haulfre Gardens, Llandudno; Great Orme Country Park and Happy Valley; Queens Gardens, Colwyn Bay; Cae Derw Park, Llandudno Junction; Pentre Mawr Park, Abergele; Wynn Gardens, Old Colwyn; Llanrhos Lawn Cemetery; Bryn Eyryn Allotments; and Bodlondeb.

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

“These landscapes play a vital role in delivering rich ecosystems and vibrant and resilient communities.”

KWT runs the awards in Wales under Keep Britain Tidy, with Wales holding more than a third of the UK’s Green Flag community sites.

Lucy Prisk, Green Flag co-ordinator for Keep Wales Tidy, said: “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.”