Basingstoke's parks have added to their years of success by being listed as one of the best public spaces in England and Wales for the eleventh year in succession.
The Green Flag Award was given to Eastrop Park, which has clocked up eleven awards to date. It was joined by War Memorial Park, which is nipping at its heals after receiving the award for a third time.
A proud Mayor of Basingstoke and Dean, Councillor Keith Chapman, was joined by park supporters to celebrate the unveiling of the Green Flag at War Memorial Park on July 27.
The Mayor was joined by some of the groups who have helped spruce up the park to help it achieve the coveted green flag.
Mayor Chapman, said: “The Green Flag shows that our parks are high on our agenda by ensuring a high standard of maintenance. It shows wel can work together with people who want to support the parks in the town.”
Cabinet Member for the Environment and Climate Change Cllr Elaine Still said: “I am delighted that two of our much loved parks have again received the Green Flag award.
“I’d like to thank all staff and volunteers who show such dedication and enthusiasm in maintaining the borough’s parks. Achieving two awards reflects how well our parks are used and the very high standard we keep them.”
One of the schemes War Memorial Park benefited from was it's link up with the Hampshire Probation Trust where offenders doing community service do jobs around the park, such as painting fences coppicing trees and trimming hedges.
Paula Robertson, Placement Manager for the Trust said the parks had been a worthwhile experience for the offenders, many of which are proud at what they have helped the park achieve.
“Working in the parks give some of the offenders the continuity they need,” she said.
“A lot of them live locally, and so end up bringing friends and family to the park and show them what they have done to help the park.”
War Memorial Park, which has tidied up since holding Basingstoke Live festival, offers visitors an attractive parkland landscape of mature trees and garden features. It has a play area, BMX and skate park, sports pitches and all weather tennis courts. It also includes a woodland walk, wedding garden and an aviary.
The Green Flag Award is a scheme managed by the Civic Trust and represents the national standard for parks and green spaces. The borough’s parks are two of over 700 green spaces to receive the Green Flag Award in England and Wales.
