Seven Leeds parks awarded some of the best in the country

Some of Leeds’ most popular parks have been awarded the Green Flag Award after being recognised as being of international quality.

Golden Acre Park, Kirkstall Abbey, Middleton Park, Otley Chevin Forest Park, Pudsey Park, Roundhay Park and Temple Newsam Estate are all managed by Leeds City Council and have yet again been listed among the best in the country.

The Green Flag Award scheme, managed by environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy under licence from the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government, 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.

Some of the Green Flag parks in Leeds have received the award every year for at least 15 years.

Councillor Mohammed Rafique, Leeds City Council’s executive member for climate, energy, environment and green space, said: “Our teams and volunteer groups work very hard to keep these sites to a high standard and for them to be spaces that people can enjoy every single day. We’re thrilled that we have once again received the prestigious Green Flag Award for these seven green spaces and that they are deemed of international quality.”

Green Flag Award scheme manager, Paul Todd MBE, said: “Congratulations to everyone involved at Leeds City Council who have worked tirelessly to ensure that these parks achieve the high standards required for the Green Flag Award.

“Quality parks and green spaces like these seven make the country a healthier place to live and work in, and a stronger place in which to invest.

“Crucially, these parks are vital green spaces for communities in Leeds to enjoy nature, and during the ongoing cost of living crisis it is a free and safe space for families to socialise. It also provides important opportunities for local people and visitors to reap the physical and mental health benefits of green space.”