What is the Green Flag Award
The Green Flag Award scheme began in 1996 as a means of recognizing and rewarding the best green spaces in the country. It was also seen as a way of encouraging others to achieve the same high environmental standards, creating a benchmark of excellence in recreational green areas.
Winning a Green Flag Award brings excellent publicity. Both the media and the public are becoming increasingly aware that a site flying a Green Flag is a quality green space. We realise that all green spaces are different and this diversity is welcomed. Each site is judged on its own merits and suitability to the community it serves. Awards are given on an annual basis and winners must apply each year to renew their Green Flag status. Throughout the land the owners, managers and staff of many parks and green spaces work tirelessly to ensure their application for a Green Flag Award is successful. The Green Flag Award scheme is managed by the Civic Trust in association with CABE Space (A division of the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment).
How High are the Standards?
While the standards for a Green Flag Award are high, each application is considered on its own merits. We recognise that every Green Space has its own unique character and this is reflected in the assessment process. All sites receive a personal visit from our highly experienced and respected judges to assess suitability for an award. Judging is conducted on a points system and any entry that reaches our benchmark standard is eligible to fly a prestigious Green Flag.
Why Apply for a Green Flag Award?
A Green Flag Award is an excellent way to generate interest and raise the profile of your park or green space. Entering for an award creates stories for the local press and winning can result in national media coverage. Successful sites may boost educational opportunities in the local community or contribute to a healthier living environment. New sources of revenue open up locally and nationally, there is an increased appeal to tourists and your site is given a renewed sense of pride.
Green Flag Award criteria - What the judges look for:
A Welcoming Place
First impressions are important and a park or green space should look positive and inviting. It should appeal to a wide range of the community. Provision should be made for elderly and disabled visitors. Signs both inside and outside the site should be clear and of appropriate design. Safety and equal access are also valuable features.
Healthy, Safe and Secure
An applying site must be safe for all age groups and sectors of the community, including staff. Drinking water, first aid facilities, lavatories and emergency equipment should be provided if appropriate to the site. A Health and Safety policy should be put into practice and hygiene issues such as dog fouling must be adequately addressed.
Clean and Well Maintained
The appearance and overall upkeep of a green space is a highly influencing factor in selection for an award. For aesthetic, environmental, health and safety reasons litter, graffiti and waste management must be addressed. Flower beds, lawns, buildings, equipment, benches and water features should all be well maintained.
Sustainability
The maintenance of the green space and its facilities should be environmentally sound. The application of pesticides should be minimised and the use of horticultural peat should be eliminated. Wherever possible, waste vegetation should be recycled. The implementation of energy conservation measures and pollution reduction will benefit the application.
Conservation and Heritage
The judges realise every green space is unique. Every effort should be made to conserve and manage any natural or built heritage. If appropriate, original land features and historical buildings should be restored and maintained. Consideration should be given to natural flora and fauna.
Habitat creation is also encouraged.
Community Involvement
Public participation is essential to the success of any green space application.
Sites should encourage the involvement of visitors in recreational or conservation activities and actively involve the local community in the management of the site. Where possible, ‘Friends’ groups and other community-based strategies should be put into place.
Marketing
The local community should be aware of the green space and the events that happen there. A marketing strategy should be evident with site information publicized through tools such as leaflets, websites or notice boards.
Management
A plan must be in place which illustrates the daily management and operational schedules of the park or green space. The plan should be regularly reviewed and a sound financial strategy demonstrated.
What is eligible for a Green Flag Award?
Applying for a Green Flag Award couldn’t be easier, in fact any green space, freely accessible to the public is welcome to enter.
These sites include: Town Parks, Country Parks, Nature Reserves, Woodlands, Gardens, Cemeteries and Crematoria.
How to enter
Awards are made annually to the park or green space. Please direct initial enquiries to the Civic Trust - Green Flag Award office. Applications should be made by the organisation that manages the site. However, community groups and individuals can encourage their local park or green space management team to enter.
The Green Flag Award scheme is run by the Civic Trust. Further information is available by following the Green Flag link on the Civic Trust website www.civictrust.org.uk or by contacting: The Civic Trust, 6th Floor, Gostins Building, 32-36 Hanover Street, Liverpool L1 4LN.
Telephone 0151 709 1969 Fax 0151 709 2022 Email northernoffice@civictrust.org.uk
