Derriford Community Park has been awarded a prestigious Green Flag Award for the first time, with eight other Plymouth parks also honoured with the nationally-respected recognition.
The popular park, with Poole Farm at its heart, and its community-focused Eco Lodge, includes a reserve that provides a haven for wildlife, including beavers. It joins Central Park, Devonport Park, Freedom Fields Park, Ham Woods Local Nature Reserve, The Hoe Park, Tothill Park, Victoria Park and West Hoe Park in receiving the award – the international quality mark for parks and green spaces.
Managed by environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy under contract from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, the Green Flag Award scheme recognises and rewards well-managed parks and green spaces, setting the benchmark standard for the management of green spaces across the United Kingdom and around the world.
Poole Farm’s first Green Flag Award is a major milestone for the site and for the wider Derriford Community Park project.
Judges praised the quality of management and long-term ambition for the park, commenting: “The parks management is well planned and executed, and driven through a clear vision for the future of this park, with a desire to lead the way on what our parks of future could be.”
They also highlighted the site’s strong relationship with local people, noting: “Excellent levels of community engagements, chiefly through organised visits from the community e.g. through schools, and through community volunteers.”
Councillor Tom Briars-Delve, Cabinet Member for Environment and Climate Change, said: “We’re absolutely delighted that Derriford Community Park and Poole Farm has achieved Green Flag status for the very first time.
“As hub of the park, Poole Farm has become a fantastic space for learning, nature, volunteering and community activity, so it is wonderful to see that recognised nationally.
“To have eight Green Flag Award-winning parks across Plymouth is a tremendous achievement. It reflects the commitment of our parks teams, volunteers, partners and local communities who work so hard to make these spaces welcoming, safe and accessible for everyone.”
Paul Todd MBE, Green Flag Award Manager at Keep Britain Tidy, said: “Parks are essential public spaces that support our wellbeing, our communities and our economy. Yet for millions of people, particularly in the most deprived areas, local parks simply don’t feel safe or welcoming.
“With public services under pressure, investing in parks is not a luxury, it’s a practical, preventative solution and one of the most visible ways to improve people’s quality of life.
“Plymouth City Council have shown what can be achieved when parks are properly supported and managed. As we celebrate 30 years of the Green Flag Award, we want every community to have access to green spaces like this that are safe, welcoming and maintained to a high standard.
“Congratulations to everyone involved.”
