Three of Norwich’s most popular parks and open spaces have been recognised once more as some of the best in the UK as they receive national Green Flag Awards.
And this year, not only have Eaton Park, Waterloo Park and Mousehold Heath retained this international quality mark from Keep Britain Tidy, but Eaton and Waterloo Park have also been granted Green Heritage Site Accreditation for the management of their historic features, as Grade II* Listed parks.
Adam Giles, portfolio holder for parks and open spaces at Norwich City Council, which owns and runs the parks, said: “We are extremely proud of these and all the other great parks and open spaces in Norwich and couldn’t be happier to receive these Green Flag Awards and new Green Heritage Site Accreditation.
“It recognises that we have some of the best and historically important green spaces in the country on offer here in Norwich – and we are keen to carry on and achieve this status for other parks in the city.
“This is a testament to all the hard work put in by the council, the Friends of the parks groups who we work very closely with and all those who use the city’s parks.”
The Green Flag Award scheme, managed by Keep Britain Tidy under licence from the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, recognises and rewards well-managed parks and green spaces, setting the benchmark standard for the management of green spaces across the United Kingdom and the world.
Keep Britain Tidy’s Green Flag Award Scheme Manager, Paul Todd MBE, said: “I would like to congratulate everyone involved at Mousehold Heath, Eaton Park and Waterloo Park in achieving a Green Flag Award again this year.
“They are vital green spaces for the community in Norwich, bringing people together and providing opportunities to lead healthy lifestyles. The staff and volunteers do so much to ensure that these spaces maintain the high standards of the Green Flag Award and everyone involved should feel extremely proud of their achievements.”
A spokesperson for the Mousehold Defenders, the group which helps look after Mousehold Heath, said: “The Mousehold Defenders are delighted to hear the heath has been awarded a Green Flag for another year.
“We are proud to be involved in upkeep of the Heath, and recently received an award for our contribution, which was presented at the Royal Norfolk Show”.
More about these city council-run parks and open spaces:
This is the third year that Waterloo Park has been awarded a Green Flag, after major improvements in 2021 and the creation of a ten-year management plan.
Mousehold Health retains its award for the fourth year running and this is Eaton Park’s eighth win.
Waterloo Park is a beautiful Grade II* listed green space to the north of Norwich. It is one of four parks designed by Captain Sandys-Winsch and it opened in its present form on the 25 April 1933. The herbaceous border is one of the longest in the UK in a public space.
Eaton Park is Grade II* listed and lies in the south-west of Norwich on South Park Avenue - another Norwich park designed by Captain Sandys-Winsch. It is an 80-acre site laid out as a formal public park with extensive sports facilities including tennis courts and a skate park.
Mousehold Heath has over 184 acres of woodland and heathland and is rich in wildlife, flora, and fauna. It’s also known for its history as the camp site of Robert Kett and his rebellion in 1549.
A full list of Green Flag Award-winning parks and green spaces is available here.
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 Gn 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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