Parks and green spaces across County Durham and the wider region have been given Green Flag Awards to recognise them for their high standards.

Eleven parks in County Durham have been handed the award this year recognising that they reached the high standards required for the coveted Green Flag Award.

Across the country 2208 parks and green spaces have been handed the gong for 2022, designed to recognise their natural beauty.

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Wharton Park, Riverside Park in Chester-Le-Street, and Hardwick Park in Sedgefield were among the award winners.

Cllr Mark Wilkes, Durham Council Cabinet member for Neighbourhoods and Climate Change, said: “We are thrilled that so many of our sites have been recognised for meeting the Green Flag standard. I would like to thank all our staff and those who volunteer for keeping our green spaces so well maintained.

“At a time when outdoor space has become more important than ever for the wellbeing of our residents, we are delighted to be able to offer such wonderful spaces to our communities.”

Blackhill and Consett Park has also been given the Green Heritage Site Award supported by Historic England, for the management of its historic features.

Elsewhere in the region West Park and South Park in Darlington won the award.

Other beauty-spots include Bolam Lake, Northumberland; Roker Park, Sunderland; and Albert Park, Middlesbrough.

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Parks must reapply each year if they wish to keep the green flag status.

The awards are run by Keep Britain Tidy alongside the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities.

Keep Britain Tidy’s Chief Executive, Allison Ogden-Newton OBE said: “The Green Flag Award is a vital component in ensuring the continuing quality of our parks and green spaces, making sure they are managed to the highest standards and are safe and accessible.

“The news that a record number have achieved the Green Flag Award standard is testament to the hard work of staff and volunteers who look after these national assets.”

Which County Durham parks have won the Green Flag Award?

  • Annfield Plain Park
  • Blackhill and Consett Park
  • Castleside Cemetery, Consett
  • Durham Crematorium and Cemetery, Durham City
  • Hardwick Park, Sedgefield
  • Moorside Cemetery, Consett
  • Mountsett Crematorium, Consett
  • Riverside Park, Chester-le-Street
  • Ropery Lane Cemetery, Chester-le-Street
  • Sacriston Cemetery

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