IPSWICH: Two parks in the town are today launching bids for national recognition.
Holywells Park is being entered for the first time for a “Green Flag” award alongside Christchurch Park.
Applicants must demonstrate an excellent use of green space, well-maintained facilities and high standard of safety and security.
Christchurch Park has already won the coveted national award three times but it is the first time an application has been made for Holywells Park.
Inga Lockington, councillor responsible for the environment, said: “Winning two Green Flags is an important goal for us –in the future we would like to make it three, with Chantry Park.
“As we have shown in our new parks vision, we want to take our parks and open spaces to a new level, to improve the facilities and to ensure they are used by and run in partnership with local communities.”
She added: “We are fortunate that we have two excellent Friends groups at Christchurch and Holywells and they have made our job that much easier.
“Our commitment and their local knowledge and passion is a formidable combination and I am confident that when the Green Flag awards are made public in June we will enjoy success.”
The 28-hectare Holywells park is roughly heart-shaped and has a series of wildflower meadows, an orchard, a walled garden, a moated site and a spring-fed system of ponds.
The park is designated as a County Wildlife Site in recognition of the high biodiversity value found in the wide range of habitats.
Christchurch Park was the first public park in Ipswich, opening in 1895.
Extending over 33 hectares in the heart of Ipswich, it dates back to beyond the 12th Century and provides the setting for Christchurch Mansion.
The Green Flag scheme is run by the Green Flag Plus Partnership, which consists of environmental charities Keep Britain Tidy, BTCV(The British Trust for Conservation Volunteers) and GreenSpace.
n What makes Ipswich parks so special? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here