Citizen magazine Summer 2024 - text version - Raising the flag for our award-winning city parks and green spaces

Raising the flag for our award-winning city parks and green spaces 

We are very proud of our parks and green spaces, and we are lucky to have so many in our city.

We have recently received six new awards for the following parks and open spaces in Norwich. These have been recognised by the Green Flag award scheme as outstanding examples of green outdoor spaces for people to enjoy.

Cllr Emma Hampton, cabinet member with responsibility for our parks and open spaces said: “We have been awarded no less than six Green Flags this year, and three of these are new awards. A huge thanks to all our volunteers and staff who work tirelessly all year to maintain and improve all our parks and green spaces in Norwich. These spaces are vital for our communities to socialise, enjoy nature, and for children to play safely, and of course it provides important opportunities for park users to improve their physical and mental health.”
 
Kett’s Heights – a new winner and thanks to significant funding from The Greater Norwich Growth Board, this park overlooking the Cathedral and castle has had significant improvements to make it more accessible, including new ramped access and resurfaced pathways. The improvements were designed and managed by the council’s team of landscape architects who work with the Friends of Kett’s Heights and the Norwich Fringe Project to improve and maintain the site.

Jenny Lind Park – has also won an award for the first time this year. An important green space in the busy Town Close ward and cared for by the Jenny Lind Gardening Group.

Heigham Park – another new award and very timely as the park recently celebrated its centenary in June after a successful celebratory event held by the Friends of Heigham Park.

Mousehold Heath – we have retained our Green Flag status for Mousehold Heath for the third year running and received one of the highest scores across the UK. Volunteering opportunities are a major part of the work that is undertaken by the incredible wardens who work there.

Waterloo Park – we have also retained our Green Flag Awards and Green Heritage status for Waterloo Park and Eaton Park with major improvements to both play areas carried out earlier in the year. Upgraded equipment includes an adventure sensory den and dome, a pendulum rope swing and a five bay swing frame, with an array of seating styles to choose from. The improvements include learning panels which are incorporated across the equipment to help develop motor skills, abstract thinking, emotional development and hand-eye coordination. Look out for playful graphics inspired by nature as you explore the park.

Eaton Park – has retained its Green Flag status for the seventh year running. Improvements include a brand-new climbing frame, replacing the old wooden one, and the relocation of the well-known Thomas Browne sculptures, The Homage, known locally as the brain and the eye, as part of the Hay Hill Town Deal project.

Wensum Park – has also seen some improvements and upgrades to play areas, including a multiplay climbing castle, a wheelchair-accessible carousel, and a variety of sensory activities to encourage imaginative play and social interaction among children. The sand area has been replaced with a more accessible flat rubber surface, and new fencing will help ensure children can play safely.

The Dell – we have also been working on plans to improve The Dell, which is situated next door to The Black Horse pub in Earlham Road. We recently closed our public consultation on Get Talking Norwich, and we received some really good input, so a big thank you to everyone who took part. We will come back to you later in the year with next steps. Visit GetTalking.norwich.gov.uk/ TheDell to read our proposals.

To find out more about the city’s array of parks and open spaces and our programmes for improvement please visit www.norwich.gov.uk/parks