Bedford Borough Parks retain prestigious Green Flag Awards

Environmental charity, Keep Britain Tidy, has today announced the winners of the coveted Green Flag Award 2022, the international quality mark for parks and green spaces.

The Green Flag Award scheme recognises and rewards well-managed parks and green spaces, setting the benchmark standard for their management across the United Kingdom and around the world.

Addison Howard Park, Bedford Park, Harrold-Odell Country Park and Priory Country Park, have all yet again been included in this year's winners list. This is alongside the retention of the Green Flag Community Awards for Hill Rise Local Nature Reserve, Mowsbury Hillfort and Putnoe Wood, all managed through our wonderful volunteer groups, the Friends of Hill Rise and the Friends of Putnoe Wood and Mowsbury Hillfort respectively.

Dave Hodgson, Mayor of Bedford Borough, said: "Our parks and open spaces are a huge point of pride for people in Bedford Borough. The staff and volunteers who work in our parks and open spaces do an incredible job of keeping them in fantastic condition and we owe them a huge amount of thanks for that.

"We know that in recent years parks have become an increasingly important part of people's lives, so it's great to see our parks continue to flourish and retain their Green Flag Awards."

For Harrold Odell Country Park, this is the 15th year in a row that it has received the award, whilst Priory Country Park is celebrating its 21st award by receiving its highest score to date which is a testament to the quality of the park and those responsible for maintaining it.

Over the last year, both Priory Country Park and Bedford Park have benefitted from significant improvement projects. For Priory Country Park this has been through the introduction of new all-weather footpaths around the lake, and the installation of a new outdoor gym area. Whilst the large playground at the east of Bedford Park, is currently having a sprinkling of fairy dust with its fairy-tale themed refurbished.

In their feedback, Judges specifically mentioned the passion and care of the staff who are involved with the parks, and the amazing volunteers we are so lucky to have working alongside us. Special note was also made about the Council not using chemicals to assist in maintaining these parks, which is helping our pollinators in Bedford thrive.

Commenting on the news, Keep Britain Tidy's Accreditation Manager Paul Todd said, "I would like to congratulate everyone involved in making Addison Howard Park, Bedford Park, Harrold-Odell Country Park and Priory Country Park, once again worthy of a Green Flag Award.

"These sites provide vital green space for communities in Bedford Borough. This award is testament to all the hard work of staff and volunteers, who do so much to ensure that it maintains the high standards demanded by the Green Flag Award."

If you would be interested in volunteering in one of the Council's parks and green spaces, please visit www.bedford.gov.uk/volunteering or sign up to the Community Volunteering email bulletin at www.bedford.gov.uk/stayconnected.