Accreditation flags have now been raised at seven of Somerset West and Taunton (SWT) Council’s parks and open spaces in recognition for being ranked as some of the very best in the country.
Green Award Flags were raised at Blenheim Gardens in Minehead; French Weir, Victoria and Vivary Parks in Taunton; and Wellington Park in Wellington, which also received a Green Heritage Award Flag.
Green Community Award Flags were also raised at Comeytrowe Park in Taunton and Swains Lane Nature Reserve in Wellington.
The flags were awarded to the Council and local volunteer groups through the Green Flag Award Scheme where judging of the parks, which was carried out earlier this year, found they have the highest possible environmental standards, are beautifully maintained and have excellent visitor facilities.
Help to maintain a number of the parks is contributed by Blenheim Gardens Volunteers, Victoria Park Action Group, Friends of Victoria Park, Friends of Wellington Park, Friends of Comeytrowe Park and Swains Lane Nature Reserve Community Group.
Cllr Derek Perry, Executive Member for Sports, Parks and Leisure, said: “I offer my sincere thanks to our Open Spaces team and community volunteers for helping to retain all seven of our Green Flag Awards for another year.
“The Green Flag Awards recognises well-managed parks and sets the standard for other green spaces nationally and internationally, and it’s thanks to the efforts by our staff and partners that Somerset West and Taunton’s parks continue to be regarded as some of the very best in the country.”
The flags were raised by SWT’s Open Spaces team with the Mayor of Taunton, Cllr Sue Lees at Vivary Park and representatives from the volunteer groups local to each of the other parks, including Wellington Town Council.