Two Aylesbury parks scoop Green Flag awards

Archived press release

Date Published: 29/07/10

Green Flag glory

Two of Aylesbury’s parks are flying a green flag of success after being named amongst the country’s best open spaces.

Vale Park and Bedgrove Park have both won prestigious Green Flag Awards, putting them on a par with the best parks in England and Wales.

The Green Flag is a nationally recognised award used to benchmark quality green spaces and to show continual improvement.

It’s the second time Bedgrove Park has achieved Green Flag status and the third successive year for Vale Park. Award winners are judged to be welcoming and well-maintained with the support and involvement of the local community.

Aylesbury Vale District Council has made a number of improvements to Vale Park over the past five years. The first phase of the revamp was carried out in 2005 with the creation of a new children’s play area and a footpath onto Park Street.

Work on the sports zone, the second phase of the redevelopment project, was completed in 2006. This area of the park has a grass bowling green, two hard surface tennis courts and a multi-sports area suitable for football and basketball.

In 2009 a new entrance and central avenue flanked by Liquidamber trees were officially opened by AVDC’s Chairman, Councillor Janet Blake. This year a formal garden was created near the new entrance to help improve the appearance of the area and make it more attractive to local residents and visitors alike.

Bedgrove Park has also seen a programme of improvements including a football/basketball court, children’s play area, teenage play and fitness equipment, a youth shelter with solar powered lighting and tree and wildflower planting.

Councillor David Thompson, Cabinet Member for Leisure, said: “This is excellent news for Aylesbury and the many people who enjoy visiting these parks. It’s very pleasing to think that the high standard of the ones we’ve entered for Green Flag status has been recognised. I’d like to thank all those who work hard to ensure our parks are a friendly and welcoming place for local communities to enjoy.”

For more information on the council’s parks and open spaces, visit www.aylesburyvaledc.gov.uk