Two parks included in award recognising the UK’s very best green spaces

Both St James’ Park and Riverside Park have received a prestigious Green Flag Award

Both St James’ Park in Shirley (pictured above) and Riverside Park in Bitterne Park (pictured below) have been recognised by the Green Flag Award Scheme as being amongst the very best in the world. St James’ Park and Riverside Park join other green spaces in Southampton awarded recognition in recent years.

The parks are among a record-breaking 1,970 UK parks and green spaces that received a prestigious Green Flag Award– the mark of a quality park or green space.

This international award, now into its third decade, is a sign to the public that the space boasts the highest possible environmental standards, is beautifully maintained and has excellent visitor facilities.

Both parks are unique in character, but are similar in having fantastic community lead friends groups at the heart of their management. They work tirelessly alongside council staff to ensure that the parks are some of the best in the world. Enhancing and protecting our natural environment is one of the goals in our Green City Charter. Parks and open spaces are essential to creating a cleaner, greener, healthier and more sustainable city.

Cllr Jacqui Rayment, Cabinet Member for Place and Transport said: “We are absolutely delighted to receive a Green Flag Award for our parks again this year.

"We have invested a lot of money in our parks, the refurbishment of the play area at St James’ Park completed earlier this year and provides a great space for kids to get outdoors and to learn about the environment. All of our parks are enjoyed by both our residents and visitors, we know having these open spaces makes a difference to everyone. This award celebrates the dedication that goes into maintaining both St James and Riverside Parks to such a high standard."

International Green Flag Award scheme manager Paul Todd said: “It’s fantastic that we have more Green Flag Awards in the UK than ever before, joined this year by 131 International winners.

“Each flag honours the thousands of staff and volunteers who work tirelessly to maintain the high standards demanded by the Green Flag Award. We congratulate each and every winner on their fantastic achievement.”