Mid and East Antrim parks awarded prestigious Green Flags

by Q Radio News

Parks throughout Mid and East Antrim have been awarded prestigious Green Flag Awards for cleanliness, safety and community involvement.

The Green Flag Award is an internationally recognised certification for environmental quality management for parks and open, green spaces.

The winners included Carnfunnock Country Park, The People’s Park, Eden Allotment Gardens, Ecos Nature Park, Dixon Park, Diamond Jubilee Wood, Bashfordsland Wood and Oakfield Glen, Carrickfergus Mill Ponds, Shaftesbury Park and Marine Gardens.

A delegation from Mid and East Antrim Borough Council travelled to Bangor Castle to accept the awards.

Among them was Parks Supervisor Jackie Waide, who won the Green Flag Northern Ireland Employee of the Year award.

(L-R:) Deputy Mayor Cheryl Johnston, Stephen Daye and Jackie Waide Mid and East Antrim Borough Council.

Deputy Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Councillor Cheryl Johnston, said: “We are so proud to be flying the Green Flag across so many of our Borough’s parks and open spaces.

“This is testament to the fantastic work of our parks team in ensuring our green spaces are among the best in Northern Ireland."

Dr Ian Humphreys, Chief Executive of Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful, says

“The Green Flag Award is a sign of a well-managed, clean and safe park . Research shows that people will only visit a park if they perceive it to be clean and safe; and the Green Flag Award is an easy way for the public to see at a glance that their park meets the highest standards."