KEEP Wales Tidy has unveiled this year’s Green Flag Award winners – with ten Conwy parks and green spaces receiving the Green Flag Award or Green Flag Community Award.

The 10 parks to have been recognised with the international mark of a quality park or green space are:

• 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

• Llanrhos Cemetery

265 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.

Councillor Geoff Stewart, Conwy County Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Neighbourhood and the Environment said: “I’m delighted that these parks and green spaces have achieved these Green Flags.

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“It’s thanks to the hard work of the staff, Friends Groups, community groups and volunteers who are all involved in making sure that our green spaces achieve these high standards.

“And everyone using our parks and open spaces has a part to play too, by respecting our green spaces and disposing of litter responsibly or taking it home.”

Welsh Government Minister for Climate Change, Julie James, said: “Our local green spaces have a vital role to play in connecting us to nature.

“These awards go to prove that Wales’ parks and similar areas are doing a wonderful job in providing quality places to relax and enjoy.

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“The standard required to achieve Green Flag status is very high so I want to congratulate all of the sites recognised for providing excellent, year-round facilities to local people and visitors alike.

“It’s fantastic to see we still hold more than a third of the UK’s Green Flag community sites in Wales – especially as the last two years have taught us all of the importance of nature and green spaces on our mental and physical wellbeing.”

Lucy Prisk, Green Flag Coordinator at Keep Wales Tidy said: “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.”

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