Two of Ely’s biggest parks have been awarded Green Flag status.
Ely Country Park and Jubilee Gardens, which are both owned by East Cambridgeshire District Council, have received the prestigious award.
The coveted Green Flag status is awarded to parks and green spaces which are free and open to everyone to enjoy, while meeting strict standards offering excellent visitor facilities.
This marks the 21st year Jubilee Gardens has been awarded a Green Flag and the tenth year for Ely Country Park.
Councillor Anna Bailey, Leader at East Cambridgeshire District Council, said: “Our district has many beautiful open spaces and Jubilee Gardens and the Country Park in Ely are excellent examples of this.
“For our gardens and parks to receive such recognition is a real credit to our parks and open spaces team and also the volunteers who dedicate their time for the benefit of our whole community, in particular the Friends of Jubilee Gardens.
“This is a coveted international award, granted to only 2,250 spaces throughout the UK, that recognises well-managed parks and green spaces. It is fantastic that our park and garden has received the award again.”
Phil Mitzman, chair of the Friends of Jubilee Gardens, said: “Our aim is to maintain the gardens as environmentally friendly as possible to attract wildlife and enhance biodiversity, as well as being beautiful. So we are extremely proud to have the gardens recognised once again with the Green Flag status.
“I would particularly like to thank all of the volunteers and the district council’s parks and open spaces team with whom we work closely, for all their hard work and long hours in making it such a special place for so many people.”
Jubilee Gardens features open space for picnics and free play, as well as a toddler play area, water feature and bandstand, which hosts riverside concerts during the summer months. Biodiversity is encouraged with bug hotels, bird boxes and log piles located throughout the gardens.
A short walk away, the Country Park has a picnic area where you can enjoy the play equipment including zip wire, wooden boat and swings, or you can just sit on the benches and watch the fun unfold in front of you. The park also has two trails which will help you to discover some spectacular views and enjoy the wildlife.
Both the park and garden feature on the Explore East Cambs website, as well as many other attractions in the district. Visit https://www.exploreeastcambs.co.uk/ for more information.
The Green Flag Award Scheme (http://greenflagaward.org/) is run by the environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy, under licence from the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government, in partnership with Keep Scotland Beautiful, Keep Wales Tidy and Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful.
Any green space that is freely accessible to the public is eligible to enter for a Green Flag Award. Awards are given on an annual basis and winners must apply each year to renew their Green Flag Award status. A Green Flag Community Award recognises quality sites managed by voluntary and community groups. Green Heritage Site Accreditation is judged on the treatment of the site’s historic features and the standard of conservation.
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