PRESTIGIOUS awards have been handed out to four of Barnsley’s much-loved green spaces as part of a national scheme which celebrates the country’s finest public parks.
Elsecar Park, Cannon Hall, Locke Park and Carlton Marsh were each given Green Flag Awards for their custodians’ commitment to providing well-maintained and accessible green spaces for residents and visitors to enjoy.
It is Locke Park’s first Green Flag accreditation - which are run by Keep Britain Tidy - while Elsecar Park was recognised for the 18th time.
The latter’s well-maintained landscape, vibrant community events and the rich history of the Elsecar Heritage Centre were all hailed, as were Locke Park’s history.
Meanwhile, Carlton Marsh - a ‘sanctuary’ for wildlife and renowned with nature lovers - and Cannon Hall’s family-friendly site were also lavished with praise.
A council spokesperson said: “We’re incredibly proud to announce that four of Barnsley’s beautiful green spaces have been awarded the prestigious Green Flag Awards.
“Elsecar Park and Local Nature Reserve, Cannon Hall Parklands, Locke Park, and Carlton Marsh Nature Reserve have each been recognised for their commitment to providing beautiful, well-maintained, and accessible green spaces for residents and visitors to enjoy.
“This marks Locke Park’s first Green Flag accreditation while Elsecar Park is recognised for the 18th time.
“Green Flag Awards are an international quality mark for parks and green spaces is given out to demonstrate the highest standards in areas such as cleanliness, safety, and community involvement.
“They are testament to the hard work and dedication of the volunteers and teams who make them a great space for everyone to enjoy.”
Keep Britain Tidy’s chief executive, Allison Ogden-Newton, added: “We are thrilled to see that these incredible site have met the standards required for a Green Flag Award, reflecting the tireless work of the people tasked with caring for and improving these crucial national assets.
“Our quality parks and green spaces make the UK a healthier place in which to live and work, and a stronger place in which to invest.
“Through the Green Flag Award and our campaigning as a charity, we will continue to advocate for good quality green infrastructure that maximises benefits for people and nature, whether that’s through exercise and wellbeing, or playing a part in helping us mitigate and adapt to some of the effects of our changing climate.
“The Green Flag Award sets the standard for caring for these sites amid growing recognition that our green spaces can be part of the climate solution.
“We know that the plants and trees in parks help to mitigate the harmful carbon emissions that are driving climate change.
“They act as cooling havens as we face hotter, drier summers and play an important part in climate change adaptation and mitigation, including helping to reduce incidences of flooding.
“We congratulate this year’s winners for their achievements in reaching Green Flag Award standards for looking after our vital green infrastructure.”
