Whaley Bridge’s Memorial Park in the High Peak has been named one of the very best in the UK – and that’s official. (Thursday 23 July 2015).
The park is among a record-breaking 1,582 parks and green spaces to receive a prestigious Green Flag Award – the mark of quality.
A Green Flag is a sign to the public that the space boasts the highest possible standards, is beautifully maintained and has excellent facilities.
Councillor John Haken, executive councillor at High Peak Borough Council responsible for parks and leisure, said: “We’re absolutely delighted that the Memorial Park has been awarded a Green Flag by Keep Britain Tidy.
“This award recognises and rewards the best parks in the country and it means that residents and visitors to the High Peak can be certain that they are enjoying one of the highest quality green spaces.
“It’s been quite a year for the park which just a few weeks ago celebrated completion of a major project to restore the park’s original layout and landscaping features. I’m thrilled for the Friends of the Memorial Park who devote their own time to keeping the park the very special place that it undoubtedly is.”
International Green Flag Award scheme manager, Paul Todd, said: “We are celebrating another record-breaking year for the Green Flag Award scheme. All the flags flying this year are a testament to the efforts of the thousands of men and women, both staff and volunteers, who work tirelessly to maintain the high standards demanded by the Award.”
The announcement of this year’s Award winners comes in the same week that thousands of people up and down the country are enjoying Love Parks Week (24 July to 2 August), an annual celebration of our country’s fantastic green spaces and the community groups that bring them to life.
The Memorial Park was created in 1920 to commemorate the loss of 108 men in the First World War. It provides a pleasant link between residential properties and the town’s shops and schools.
High Peak Borough Council won funding of £478,000 from the Heritage Lottery Fund and the Big Lottery Fund for a major project to restore the park’s original layout and landscaping features.
The work has also seen the war memorial restored, the entrances improved, the installation of a new bridge and play equipment and enhancements to woodland and wildlife habitat including new planting.