This year’s Green Flag Awards have just been announced and Castle Park, High Woods Country Park and Colchester Cemetery and Crematorium have once again scooped the national award. As well as receiving its 20th Green Flag award, Castle Park again received the Green Heritage award, supported by Historic England, which recognises its work to promote its historic surroundings.
The three sites are among 2,208 UK parks and green spaces and 170 in the East of England to have received a prestigious Green Flag Award from Keep Britain Tidy – the mark of a quality park or green space.
The awards, now in their third decade, shine a light on the UK’s very best parks and green spaces, recognising that they are beautifully maintained, have excellent visitor facilities and have achieved the highest possible environmental standards.
To be able to fly the prestigious Green Flag, parks and open spaces are checked regularly throughout the year to ensure they're clean and well maintained, offer a welcoming place to visit and encourage community involvement.
Cllr Martin Goss, Portfolio Holder for Neighbourhood Services & Waste, said: “I’m absolutely delighted that we have retained the Green Flag status for Castle Park, High Woods Country Park and Colchester Cemetery and Crematorium.
“We should all be immensely proud of our green spaces. They are a unique and wonderful community asset, providing a place to meet up, walk or play, or just to appreciate some quiet contemplation, as well as being important havens for wildlife.”
Cllr Steph Nissen, Portfolio Holder for Environment & Sustainability, added: “This is fantastic news and immensely well-deserved.
“I would like to thank staff, Colchester Countryside Volunteer Rangers and other community and user groups for their hard work and support over the past year. A Green Flag Award is never guaranteed, so to win again is a remarkable testament to the exceptionally high standard of care that goes into maintaining our amazing parks and green spaces.”
Further information about Colchester Borough Council’s park and countryside spaces and Colchester Cemetery and Crematorium is available at colchester.gov.uk.
Page last reviewed: 26 July 2022