Mewsbrook Park picks up the Green Flag Award again

The park, in Littlehampton, is one of just 141 open spaces across the south-east region to have made the grade this year.

The prestigious award was judged be the environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy, which has revealed that a record number of parks in the UK have reached the Green Flag Award standard – the mark of a quality green space.

Green Flag Award scheme manager Paul Todd said: “It’s another record-breaking year for the scheme.

“This is something well worth celebrating and testament to the efforts of the thousands of men and women, supported by some amazing volunteers, who work tirelessly to maintain the high standards demanded by the Green Flag Award.

“The parks sector is facing some tough challenges so it is heartening to see that they are committed to maintaining and improving standards.

“We know how passionate people are about our parks and green spaces and the recent Heritage Lottery Fund report, State of UK Public Parks, highlighted the need for everyone to work together to ensure they are maintained for future generations.”

Across the UK, a record number of parks, cemeteries, university campuses and shopping centres – 1,476 in total - will be displaying their Green Flag Award, showing the public that they are well-managed, high-quality green spaces.

The accolade is judged every year by a small army of 700 volunteer judges who visit applicant sites and assess them against eight separate criteria, including cleanliness, sustainability and conservation.

The launch of the awards coincides with this year’s Love Parks Week, also run by Keep Britain Tidy, when thousands of people up and down the country are celebrating the fantastic parks and green spaces we have in this country.