Bassetlaw District Council is celebrating after three of its parks received the prestigious Green Flag Award, an international mark of quality for green spaces. The awards were announced as the national environmental scheme marks its 30th anniversary. The winning sites are Langold Country Park, Kings' Park, and The Canch.
Recognised for excellence
Langold Country Park has secured the accolade for the third consecutive year. Kings' Park has achieved the standard for an impressive 19th time, while The Canch has retained its title for 13 years running. A bid for Sandhill Lake in Worksop was unsuccessful this time.
Local leaders praised the maintenance teams for their year-round efforts. The parks have benefited from recent improvements, including new walking routes, public art installations, free outdoor theatre performances, and sports roadshows.
Official praise
Darrell Pulk, cabinet member for neighbourhoods, said: "We are incredibly proud that three of our parks and open spaces have once again been recognised with the prestigious Green Flag Award. This achievement reflects the high standards we set for our green spaces and the important role they play in the health, wellbeing and enjoyment of our residents and visitors."
He added: "I would like to pay tribute to our dedicated Parks Team whose hard work, commitment and attention to detail throughout the year ensure these sites are maintained to such an exceptional standard. Their efforts help make Bassetlaw a cleaner, greener and more attractive place to live, work and visit, and this award is thoroughly deserved recognition of everything they do."
National significance
Paul Todd MBE, green flag award manager at Keep Britain Tidy, 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." He congratulated the local team for meeting strict judging criteria and added: "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."
Community celebration
The awards coincide with Love Parks Week, running from Friday, July 24 to Sunday, August 2, featuring free activities across Bassetlaw parks. The Green Flag scheme is managed under licence from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.
