VICTORIA Park is raising its prestigious Green Flag Award for the ninth consecutive time. 

The award is the international quality mark for parks and green spaces, awarded to 2,216 UK winners this year. 

The Green Flag Award is testament to the hard work and dedication of the council officers and volunteers like those in the Friends of Victoria Park that make the green space a great place that everyone can enjoy. 

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St Helens Star: Cllr Lynn Clarke, Cllr Andy Bowden and Cllr Mancyia Uddin at a previous Green Flag unveilingCllr Lynn Clarke, Cllr Andy Bowden and Cllr Mancyia Uddin at a previous Green Flag unveiling (Image: St Helens Council)

Councillor Andy Bowden, St Helens Borough Council's Cabinet Member for Environmental Services and Climate Change, said:   

"The importance of our green spaces can’t be overstated, granting us time in nature and away from urban life, and places in which to relax and exercise to improve our wellbeing.  

"While today it is Victoria Park that is celebrating for the ninth consecutive year, an achievement which is as much for all our parks across the borough receiving the same level of care and attention for residents to enjoy, it’s our ambition to bring all parks up to the recognised Green Flag standard.” 

St Helens Star: The Green Flag is flying high at Victoria Park for the ninth timeThe Green Flag is flying high at Victoria Park for the ninth time (Image: St Helens Council)

Keep Britain Tidy’s Green Flag Award Scheme Manager Paul Todd MBE said: “I would like to congratulate everyone involved at Victoria Park in achieving a Green Flag Award. 

“Victoria Park is a vital green space for the community in St Helens Borough, bringing people together and providing opportunities to lead healthy lifestyles. The staff and volunteers do so much to ensure that it maintains the high standards of the Green Flag Award and everyone involved should feel extremely proud of their achievement.” 

The Green Flag Award scheme, managed by environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy under licence from the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, recognises and rewards well-managed parks and green spaces, setting the benchmark standard for the management of green spaces across the United Kingdom and around the world.