Ryelands Park picks up a Green Flag for the first time

Ryelands Park has been awarded a Green Flag for the very first time, following close partnership work between Lancaster City Council and local residents.

The award recognises the park as one of the very best green spaces in the world and is the result of sustained improvements with the specific goal of achieving Green Flag status.

A Green Flag flying overhead is a sign to visitors that the park boasts the highest possible standards, is beautifully maintained and has excellent facilities.

The council has worked closely with the Friends of Ryelands Park to make it one of the district’s best green spaces and a place of which the community can be proud.

The report from the Green Flag assessors particularly praises the variety of different users in the park including children playing football, cyclists, people exercising their dogs and even Nordic walkers.

Judges also praise the ‘relaxed feel’ to the park and that it is well maintained with little evidence of littering or graffiti.

Coun Brendan Hughes, Cabinet member with responsibility for parks and open spaces, said: “This is a great achievement for all concerned.  Ryelands Park has been the subject of a very strong partnership between the council and the Friends group, with one of the key objectives being to attain the Green Flag.

“The council is committed to ensuring an attractive local environment for all residents and this is another demonstration of the council’s dedication to maintaining excellent green spaces.”

Ryelands Park joins the council’s two other Green Flag winners, Williamson Park and Happy Mount Park, which have held the distinction for a number of years.

Williamson Park has also once again been awarded Green Heritage status, which recognises the excellent upkeep of parks that are of historical and cultural interest.