RCT Are Flying Green Flags

Rhondda Cynon Taf has some of the finest parks in Wales – it’s official!

Keep Wales Tidy has unveiled this year’s Green Flag Award winners, the international mark of a quality park or green space.

Green Flags will be flying at Aberdare Park, Taff’s Well Park and Ynysangharad War Memorial Park in recognition of their excellent visitor facilities, high environmental standards, and commitment to delivering great quality green space.

Keep Wales Tidy has also presented Green Flag Community Awards to Pontyclun Community Garden; Butchers Pool, Ynysybwl; Blaen-Cwm Chapel Quiet Garden; Wimbles Community Garden, Beddau; Lee Gardens Pool, Penrhiwceiber; Cwm Clydach Countryside Park; and Daerwynno Outdoor Centre, Llanwonno.

Councillor Ann Crimmings, Rhondda Cynon Taf Council’s Cabinet Member for Environment, Leisure and Heritage Services, said: “Our local parks have always been wonderful sanctuaries within our communities that are well used and appreciated by people of all ages.

“This has been a very difficult year for us all and often a simple visit to the local park provides a welcome boost to health and wellbeing during these unprecedented and worrying times.

“The Green Flag is the international mark of a quality park or green space and I am delighted that once again this year, we are proudly flying the Green Flag at three of our parks in Rhondda Cynon Taf.

“Congratulations to all those who have also received Green Flag Community Awards. We are so fortunate to have such a wealth of natural beauty right here on our doorsteps.”

A total of 224 parks and green spaces across the country have received the prestigious Green Flag Award and Green Flag Community Award, from country parks and formal gardens, to allotments, woodlands and churchyards.

The Green Flag Award programme is delivered in Wales by environmental charity Keep Wales Tidy, with support from Welsh Government.

Independent green space experts volunteered their time in early autumn to judge applicant sites against eight strict criteria, including biodiversity, cleanliness, environmental management, and community involvement.

Lucy Prisk, Green Flag co-ordinator at Keep Wales Tidy said: “The pandemic has shown just how important high-quality parks and green spaces are to our communities.

“For many of us, they have been a haven on our doorstep, benefitting our health and well-being.

“The 224 flags flying this year, including those in Rhondda Cynon Taf, are a testament to the hard work of staff and volunteers who have maintained excellent standards under the most challenging circumstances. I would like to congratulate and thank them all for their outstanding commitment.”

A full list of award winners can be found on the Keep Wales Tidy website www.keepwalestidy.cymru