Green flags to fly in seven city parks

Green Flags will be flying in seven Brighton & Hove parks this summer as the council celebrates having some of the finest parks in the country.

Easthill Park, Hove Park, Kipling Gardens, Preston Park, St Ann’s Well Gardens, Stoneham Park and Stanmer Park have all been awarded prestigious Green Flags for excellence.

Excellent

The national awards, handed out by environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy, are given to parks which are well maintained and have excellent facilities.

Sadly, The Level has not been awarded a Green Flag this year, following the continued closure of the café and toilets, and an increase in anti-social behaviour.

However, work is already underway to refurbish the MacLaren Pavilion, providing a kiosk and new toilet facilities and improvements to the playground are proposed for 2025/26. In addition, the council continuing to work with the police and The Level community to increase security and tackle and reduce anti-social behaviour.

Well managed

The annual Green Flag Award scheme recognises and rewards well-managed and maintained parks and green spaces across the country.

Different aspects of park management such as safety, cleanliness, litter and waste resources and arboricultural maintenance are judged when awarding parks with Green Flags.

The criteria also considers whether opportunities are available for residents to get involved in the upkeep and enhancement of their local green spaces.

Fantastic!

Councillor Alan Robins, Cabinet Member for Sport and Recreation, said: “Access to good quality open space is really important, particularly during the current cost of living crisis, so it’s fantastic news that we will once again be flying seven Green Flags in parks in Brighton, Hove, Portslade and Rottingdean – a real city-wide success story.

“The success is a fitting tribute to our dedicated staff, Friends groups and volunteers who work tirelessly to make sure that the quality is maintained, and our parks and gardens are a pleasure to visit all year round.

“It’s disappointing that The Level has not reached Green Flag status this year, but we are confident that the work currently underway to restore and re-open the MacLaren Pavilion along with our proposals to improve the playground, will help raise standards and bring huge benefits for residents and visitors.”

Tireless work

Keep Britain Tidy Chief Executive, Allison Ogden-Newton OBE, said: “Prioritising parks and green spaces is vital for our future, so we are delighted to see that 185 sites in the South East have met the standards required for a Green Flag Award, reflecting the tireless work of those tasked with looking after these important regional assets. 

“We know beyond doubt that our local environment contributes to the wellbeing of individuals and communities, with our parks and green spaces recognised as areas where people can come together and be active. 

"Research shows that time spent in green spaces can positively affect mental and physical health, quality of life and a sense of wellbeing.”