A POPULAR Worcester park has been awarded a prestigious international award for being recognised as one of the UK’s best green spaces.
Fort Royal Park, the site of the final battle of the English Civil War in 1651, has scooped its first Green Flag award and joined Worcester City Council’s Gheluvelt and Cripplegate parks in holding the celebrated accolade.
The award, now into its third decade, is a sign to the public that the park boasts the highest possible environmental standards, is beautifully maintained and has excellent visitor facilities.
As well as playing host to the 1651 Battle of Worcester, the historical park was also visited by the second and third Presidents of the United States of America, John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, who were keen to see the site they regarded as the place where democracy was effectively born.
The park boasts stunning views of the city and a playground, containing innovative play equipment with a Civil War theme.
Coun Lynn Denham, Vice Chair of Worcester City Council’s communities committee and Chair of the Friends of Fort Royal Park, said: “We’re absolutely thrilled.
“It’s been our ambition to raise the status of the park to Green Flag level for the last five years, so this is fantastic news.”
Coun Mike Johnson, Chair of the communities committee, said: “For Worcester City Council to have three of its parks recognised as being among the best in the country is a remarkable achievement.
“I want to thank the City Council staff, the friends groups and all the many volunteers and partners who help to make our parks the beautiful places they are.”
Paul Todd, Green Flag Award scheme manager, added: “Each flag is a celebration of the thousands of staff and volunteers who work tirelessly to maintain the high standards demanded by the Green Flag Award.
“The success of the scheme, especially in these challenging times, demonstrates just how much parks matter to people.”
