Poole awarded three Green Flags for beautiful open spaces

This year’s awards mark the 12th consecutive year that Upton Country Park has received the Green Flag status, the 10th time for Poole Park, and the 8th for Hamworthy’s park.

Organised by the environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy, on behalf of the Department of Communities and Local Government, the Green Flag Award scheme, which this year was given to more than 1,500 open spaces, assesses each proposed site against eight strict criteria.

These include horticultural standards, cleanliness, community involvement, and maintenance, and are judged by an army of 700 ‘green space experts’ who volunteer their time to visit and evaluate the applicant sites.

Cllr John Rampton, cabinet portfolio holder for Environment, Borough of Poole, is delighted with the awards, “We are extremely proud of the wide variety and quality of green, open spaces across Poole, and they are truly deserving of the Green Flag Awards.

“This recognition celebrates the extensive hard work of volunteers and council staff, which ensures that the parks remain places for residents and visitors to enjoy all year round.”

Both Upton Country Park and Poole Park have more than 100 acres of parkland, as well as salt-water lakes at Poole and woodlands at Upton, while Hamworthy Park, which this year also celebrates its 85th anniversary, offers 27 acres of parkland, a popular outdoor paddling pool, and spectacular views from its stunning beachside location.

All three of the parks benefit from a wealth of support and community involvement from voluntary groups the Friends of Hamworthy Park, the Friends of Poole Park and the Friends of Upton Country Park who help raise funds, as well as a number of other activities helping to improve, protect, and promote the parks.