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Green Flag judging criteria

The Criteria is based upon the following items;

1. A welcoming place

  • Good and safe access
  • Good signage to and in the park or green space
  • Equal access for all members of the community

2. Healthy, safe, and secure

Equipment and facilities must be safe to use.

  • The park or green space must be a secure place for all members of the community to use or traverse.
  • Dog fouling must be adequately addressed.
  • Health & Safety policies should be in place, in practice and regularly reviewed.
  • Toilets, drinking water, first aid, public telephones and emergency equipment where relevant (e.g. life belts by water) should be available in or near the park or green space, and clearly sign posted.

3. Clean and well maintained

Litter and other waste management issues must be adequately addressed.

  • Grounds, buildings, equipment and other features must be well maintained.
  • A policy on litter, vandalism and maintenance should be in place, in practice and regularly reviewed.

4. Sustainability

An environmental policy or charter and management strategy should be in place, in practice and regularly reviewed.

  • Pesticide use should be minimised and justified.
  • Horticultural peat use should be eliminated.
  • Waste plant material in the park or green space should be recycled.
  • High horticultural and arboricultural standards should be demonstrated.
  • Energy conservation, pollution reduction, waste recycling, and resource conservation measures should be used.

5. Conservation and heritage

  • Natural features, wildlife and fauna.
  • Landscape features.
  • Buildings and structural features.
  • These features should serve their function well without placing undue pressure on the surrounding environment.

6. Community involvement

  • Knowledge of user community and levels and patterns of use.
  • Evidence of community involvement in management and/or developments and results achieved.
  • Appropriate levels of provision of recreational facilities for all sectors of the community.

7. Marketing

  • Marketing strategy in place, in practice and regularly reviewed.
  • Good provision of information to users, e.g. about management strategies, activities, features, ways to get involved.
  • Promotion of the park or green space as a community resource.

8. Management

A Green Flag Award application must have a management plan or strategy in place, which reflects the aspirations of Local Agenda 21 and clearly and adequately addresses all the above criteria and any other relevant aspects of the park or green space’s management.

The plan must be actively implemented and regularly reviewed. Financially sound management of the park or green space must also be demonstrated.