Three of Basingstoke and Deane’s popular parks have been awarded the prestigious Green Flag award for another year, putting them among the very best parks in the UK.

Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council’s Beggarwood Park, Eastrop Park and War Memorial Park have gained Keep Britain Tidy’s Green Flag award, the international quality mark for parks and green spaces.

The Green Flag scheme aims to raise the standard of parks and green spaces and reflects the hard work of the borough council’s grounds maintenance, street cleansing and ranger teams that care for the green spaces for everyone to enjoy.

Cabinet Member for Residents’ Services and Housing Cllr Laura James said: “I’m delighted our three flagship parks have achieved Green Flag status again and would like to congratulate our teams who work so hard to maintain them throughout the year.

“We know these parks are very popular and valued spaces and we are always looking for ways to enhance them to make sure they are accessible to all, well-maintained and provide fun equipment and enjoyable activities for people of all ages. Over the past year this has included replacing and renewing benches and play equipment, refurbishing toilets, hosting family events and creating new nature trails like the tree trail at Eastrop Park.”

Green Flag Award Manager at Keep Britain Tidy, Paul Todd MBE, said: “Parks are essential public spaces that support our wellbeing, our communities and our economy. Yet for millions of people, particularly in the most deprived areas, local parks simply don’t feel safe or welcoming.

“With public services under pressure, investing in parks is not a luxury, it’s a practical, preventative solution and one of the most visible ways to improve people’s quality of life.”

More information about local parks in the borough is available at www.basingstoke.gov.uk/local-parks