Waverley Borough Council is celebrating after 10 of its parks and green spaces have been recognised with the prestigious Green Flag Award, the international quality mark for parks and green spaces. The awards recognise sites that are welcoming, well-managed and demonstrate high environmental standards, making them among the very best open spaces in the country.
The celebrated greenspaces include:
- Badshot Lea Pond and Orchard
- Bealeswood Common
- Blackheath Common
- Broadwater Park
- Farnham Park
- Frensham Common
- Lammas Lands
- Mare Hill
- Summerlands Estate
- Weybourne Nature Reserve
Farnham Park has, once again, also received the Green Heritage Site Accreditation supported by Historic England, recognizing its exceptional management of historic features.
These green spaces, all managed by the council, are among the 2,391 parks and green spaces across the UK that have received an award this year. The Green Flag Award scheme, managed by environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy under contract from the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government, recognises and rewards well-managed parks and green spaces, setting the benchmark standard for the management of green spaces across the United Kingdom and around the world.
Councillor Adam Duce, Waverley Borough Council’s Portfolio Holder for Environment and Sustainability, said:
"Achieving 10 Green Flag Awards is a fantastic achievement and reflects the council's ongoing commitment to protecting and enhancing our parks, commons and green spaces for residents and visitors to enjoy.
"These awards are a testament to the hard work and dedication of our parks and countryside team, contractors, volunteers and community groups who help ensure these special places are maintained to the highest standards. Their efforts not only help preserve our natural environment and biodiversity but also provide welcoming spaces that support health, wellbeing and recreation across the borough.
"We are incredibly proud of this recognition and encourage everyone to make the most of Waverley's award-winning green spaces this summer. While enjoying them, please help us care for these important sites by taking your litter home, not using barbecues and campfires, and respecting the wildlife and habitats that make them so special."
Please remember if there is no bin available in the area, we would be grateful if you could take any food containers or other items away with you to dispose of at home.
For more information about Waverley's parks and greenspaces, or to learn about volunteering opportunities, visit the parks and countryside web page.
Image: Summerlands Estate volunteers