July 26, 2011
Princes Park in Eastbourne has become the town’s first park to win the coveted Green Flag Award.
The park was today officially granted the nationally recognised Green Flag standard, confirmation to all that the popular local green space is well-maintained and managed by both Eastbourne Borough Council and the Friends of Princes Park.
The award comes as the council prepares to invest an additional £300,000 to improve the park yet further.
Councillor Steve Wallis, Portfolio Holder for the Environment, said: “This is great news for Eastbourne and fantastic news for Devonshire Not only has Princes Park secured this enviable status but this was also the council’s first ever entry for a Green Flag.
“Eastbourne Borough Council could not have achieved this alone and my thanks go out to the Friends of Princes Park for their dedication and commitment to this fantastic open space. This really is partnership working at its best with the friends, the council and its contractors all working together to ensure Princes Park gets the recognition it deserves.
Princes Park is Eastbourne’s most diversely used, and this year alone has already hosted the town’s Royal Wedding celebrations on a giant screen, been the venue for Magnificent Motors and will be flying even higher next year with the introduction of a hot air balloon.
Jacky Mullender, Chair of the Friends of Princes Park, said: “The Friends are ecstatic with the news that the quality of Princes Park has been recognised with this award. We are so proud of our achievement and look forward to continuing to work positively with the council.”
Green Flag judges visited a packed Princes Park in May to witness first hand how popular the park is with residents and visitors and to hear how the Friends were working in partnership with the council to deliver improvements.
The park is one of a number of parks and green spaces receiving the Green Flag Award this year, ensuring that even more people now have access to well-managed, high-quality green spaces.
In 2011, 1,288 parks and green spaces around the UK will fly either the Green Flag or Community Award, a sign that the value of green space is widely acknowledged as vital to communities.
Phil Barton, Green Flag Plus Partnership chairman said: “I would like to congratulate this year’s winners, who have worked hard throughout the year to keep their parks and green spaces at a high standard and ensure they are pleasant and enjoyable spaces for the whole community.”
All award-winning sites now have the chance to receive a further award from the Green Flag Plus Partnership called the People’s Choice Award. This award is voted for by the public.
