Green Flag Award for Milton Keynes Park

10.48.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Tue 18th Sep 2007

A local park is the first in Milton Keynes to be awarded a Green Flag to recognise it is one of the best open spaces in the country.

Chepstow Drive Local Park, located within the southern area of Bletchley on the Race Course Estate, was judged by The Civic Trust as being "well maintained with the potential to become something very special".

The scheme, similar to the blue flag rating for beaches, is run by The Civic Trust to identify parks that have reached the highest environmental rating for a community open space and have made them a safer place to enjoy leisure time.

The park will now be allowed to fly the Green Flag to mark the quality award. Key factors needed to win the award included allowing the park to be accessible for people with disabilities, making it safe and secure, using clear signage, and having suitable planting, and keeping it clean and well maintained, as well as actively involving the community in events. The award recognised the work that Milton Keynes Council's parks staff, as well as West Bletchley Parish Council, has put into making this open space one of the best in the UK.

Chepstow Drive Local Park was originally farmland and still has remnants of hedgerows and mature trees. The park also has a pond, a wooded area and children's play facilities. The community is involved in the park and volunteers took part in a hedge-laying programme last winter, which it is hoped will continue this year. Guided walks, including bat watching, have been taking place during the summer and the park is also used by holiday play schemes and by the local youth centre to host events.

Liberal Democrat councillor Douglas McCall, cabinet member responsible for the environment, said: "Milton Keynes is justly proud of its network of parks and being awarded the Green Flag for quality contributes to our growing reputation for providing a great environment to live in.

"Parks should be a central focus for the communities in which they sit; and this national recognition shows how our parks are helping to improve the lives of local people."

Speaking at the recent awards ceremony, Parks Minister Baroness Kay Andrews, said: "Green Flags are awarded to the country's best parks but everyone should be able to enjoy great quality parks and green spaces.

"Our ambition is that all communities should benefit from this renaissance and local people have the opportunity to take part in the transformation of their parks."