A TRIO of Worcester parks have been officially named as some of the best in Britain.
Cripplegate Park, Gheluvelt Park and Worcester Woods Country Park are among a record-breaking 1,686 parks to have recently scooped the prestigious Green Flag Award, which recognises high quality parks and green spaces.
Cripplegate Park received the award for its ‘stunning’ flower beds, which were planted by pupils from Perryfields Primary School to commemorate The Queen’s 90th birthday, separate play areas for toddlers and teens, tennis courts and bowling greens.
It was also recognised for its new 9ft sculpture of a poppy created by Malvern artist Victoria Harrison, which honours the lives of the Worcestershire Yeomanry who were killed in the 1916 First World War battles in the Egyptian desert.
More than 950,000 people have visited Gheluvelt Park within the last year and it received a TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence for the first time in June.
The Barbourne Road park has now scooped three accolades in the last 12 months, after members of the public also voted Gheluvelt as one of their top three favourite parks in the UK at the ‘Fields in Trust Awards’ in December.
In 2017, Worcester City Council will be investing £250,000 in new facilities at the park, following the major £1.4million makeover in 2010, with a Heritage Lottery Fund award paying for a specially commissioned war memorial feature, new play area, refurbished bandstand and splashpad.
Coun Jabba Riaz, cabinet member for clean, green and leisure services said: “We’re absolutely delighted to have received the Green Flag Award for our parks once again.
“The city council is completely committed to maintaining the highest possible standards in Worcester’s parks and open spaces, both now and in the future.
“Not only are they perfect for our residents to relax and unwind in, but they also help to boost the local economy by increasing the number of visitors to the city too.”
