Green fingers crossed for flags

Fingers are now crossed for the annual Green Flag Awards – Hertsmere has submitted six parks which will be judged before winners are announced in July.

Last year all six green spaces received awards and the council is hopeful to hold on to them.  Aberford Park in Borehamwood has held a Green Flag for four years and King George Recreation Ground in Bushey has held one for 13.  In Potters Bar, both Parkfield and Oakmere have Green Flags – Oakmere for nine years and Parkfield for three years.

Fishers Field Nature Reserve in Bushey has held a Community Award for three years – this is a particularly special accolade as the reserve is managed by volunteers through the Friends of Fishers Field, in partnership with the council and Countryside Management Service.  And for the first time last year, Bushey Rose Garden was awarded with a Green Flag following its £1.5 million restoration in 2010, as well as Green Heritage Site Accreditation for it’s historic importance.

Councillor Jean Heywood, Environment Portfolio Holder with responsibility for parks, said: "You could say Green Flags are the equivalent of the Oscars for parks so we were over the moon that six of Hertsmere’s green spaces were awarded last year.

"The awards recognise the hard work and dedication of our parks officers, grounds maintenance team at John O'Conner and all the friends groups who work tirelessly throughout the year to ensure the parks are clean, safe and welcoming.

"All six parks are unique in their own way and offer a range of recreational and leisure activities to local people of all ages and best of all they are completely free to enjoy all year round, for a brisk winter walk or a stroll in the summer."

Thanks go to Borehamwood Four Parks Friends Group, Friends of King George Recreation Ground, Friends of Fishers Field, Friends of Potters Bar Parks and Friends of Bushey Rose Garden who all volunteer their time to make the parks a special place to visit.

When you visit any of our parks please use the litter and recycling bins provided and pick up after your dog.

The Green Flag Awards are managed by a group of organisations - Keep Britain Tidy, BTCV and GreenSpace - on behalf of Communities and Local Government (CLG).