Oxford City Council celebrates as five parks and one cemetery win the Green Flag Award

Among them will be Cutteslowe & Sunnymead, Hinksey, Florence, Bury Knowle and Blackbird Leys Parks as well as St Sepulchre’s Cemetery in Oxford, which are raising a Green Flag Award.

The Green Flag Award scheme, managed by environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy, under licence from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, recognises and rewards well-managed parks and green spaces, setting the benchmark standard for their management across the United Kingdom and around the world. These parks are amongst more than 2,000 sites across the country to collect the award for 2020.

“Oxford’s parks are important spaces for residents of all ages to enjoy so many different ways of spending time outdoors. Whether you are looking for a high intensity workout or a period of quiet contemplation there is a place in our parks for you.

“We are blessed with many fine parks and that is the result, in no small part, of the effort put in by those who maintain them. I want to congratulate all of the staff at ODS and the City Council’s Parks and Green Space Development Team, as well as our volunteers and friends groups, for this excellent recognition of their achievement.”

Councillor Linda Smith, Cabinet Member for Leisure and Parks

“This year, more than ever, our parks and green spaces have been a lifeline and we know that millions of people have used them to relax, meet friends, exercise or simply escape for a short time.

“It is testament to the incredible dedication and hard work of parks staff and volunteers that, despite the challenges that went along with record numbers of visitors, Oxford City Council has achieved the highest international standards demanded by the Green Flag Award.”

Allison Ogden-Newton OBE, Chief Executive of Keep Britain Tidy

For more information on the Green Flag Awards, visit the Green Flag Awards Scheme.