Eight parks and green spaces across Liverpool have been recognised among the best in the country after receiving prestigious Green Flag awards.
More than three times as many Liverpool sites have achieved the international quality mark compared with last year. Sefton Park has retained its Green Flag for the 19th consecutive year, while Springfield Park has received the award for the first time.
Six of the successful green spaces are managed by Liverpool City Council, while Chavasse Park is managed by Liverpool ONE.
Friends of Norris Green Park has also received a Green Flag Community Award for the Community Hub Wildlife and Formal Gardens at Norris Green Park.
The eight award-winning sites are:
- Sefton Park
- Croxteth Park
- Otterspool Park
- Reynolds Park
- Springfield Park
- Everton Park Nature Garden
- Chavasse Park
- Friends of Norris Green Park Community Hub Wildlife and Formal Gardens
The results mean Liverpool now has more Green Flag parks than in recent years, highlighting the city’s commitment to providing high-quality green spaces for residents and visitors.
The recently refurbished Everton Park Nature Garden has regained Green Flag status for the first time since 2008.
Judges said: “Having not had a Green Flag for a number of years, this is clearly a strong entry for Everton Park Nature Garden into the awards scheme, and the effort and dedication from the whole team was evident.”
They added: “It feels more important than ever that parks and green spaces such as Everton Park Nature Garden provide a green and nature-rich escape from the urban environment, where the focus is on community, health and education.”
Run by Keep Britain Tidy, the Green Flag Award recognises parks and green spaces that meet high standards of environmental and operational management while providing welcoming and safe places for visitors.
Sites are assessed through mystery shopper-style visits covering areas such as cleanliness, general condition, flower beds and litter management.
Liverpool City Council has secured a £4.2 million capital programme to refurbish key infrastructure in its parks and green spaces over the coming years.
The programme includes the replacement of 33 play areas, as well as the installation of new signs, bins and benches across the city. Additional grounds maintenance staff have also been recruited to care for Liverpool’s green spaces, trees and lakes.
Chavasse Park has now maintained its Green Flag status for 14 consecutive years. It has also retained Green Heritage Site Accreditation for a third year, the highest level of recognition available through the Green Flag programme.
Judges praised Liverpool ONE’s “innovative and inclusive” approach to celebrating heritage and green space, recognising the way Chavasse Park connects visitors with the area’s natural and historic assets.
Highlights included its Nature and Heritage Trails, which provide free, self-guided tours exploring the park’s landscape and Liverpool’s maritime history.
The park’s gardens and trees were also recognised for supporting biodiversity and providing a peaceful green space in the heart of the city.
Judges highlighted the Liver Pools water features surrounding the Liverpool ONE sign for reflecting Liverpool’s maritime identity.
The preservation and interpretation of the Old Dock, delivered in partnership with National Museums Liverpool, was also praised as an example of how an important historic landmark can be incorporated into a modern city-centre destination.
Councillor Laura Robertson-Collins, Cabinet Member for Communities, Neighbourhoods and Streetscene said:
“This year’s Green Flags awards is a major achievement for Liverpool and a clear sign of the quality of our parks and green spaces.
“These awards are recognition of the dedication of our parks teams and local communities, who work tirelessly to ensure our green spaces are clean, safe and welcoming places for everyone.
“Whether it’s enjoying nature, spending time with family and friends or improving health and wellbeing, our parks play a vital role for our residents. Having seven parks recognised internationally shows Liverpool is continuing to raise the standard and invest in spaces that make a real difference to our communities.”
Brendan Hattam, Centre Director at Liverpool ONE, said:
“We’re proud that Chavasse Park has once again been recognised with the Green Flag Award, alongside retaining its Green Heritage Site Accreditation. These achievements reflect the passion, care and attention to detail that goes into creating and maintaining a high-quality green space for our visitors and the wider community to enjoy.
“We also celebrate the other Green Flags awarded across the region, as they demonstrate the regional commitment to creating welcoming green spaces where nature, heritage and visitor experience come together.”
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.
“Liverpool City Council and Liverpool ONE 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.”
