Amber Valley Borough Council is celebrating after eight of its parks retained the coveted Green Flag Award for 2023 – including parks in Swanwick, Somercotes and Riddings.

The Green Flag Award scheme celebrates well managed parks and green spaces, setting the benchmark standard for the management of outdoor recreational spaces across the UK.

The scheme is managed by Keep Britain Tidy.

This year, a total of eight parks across Amber Valley were once again awarded the Green Flag Award.

The award-winning parks are:

• Belper Cemetery
• Belper Park’s Local Nature Reserve
• Belper River Gardens
• Crays Hill Queen Elizabeth ll Playing Fields, Swanwick
• Crossley Park, Ripley
• Heanor Memorial Park
• Pennytown Ponds Local Nature Reserve, Somercotes
• Riddings Park

Councillor John McCabe, cabinet member for the environment at Amber Valley Borough Council, said: “It’s such a privilege to announce this great news, of holding the eight Green Flag Awards throughout the borough.

“It proves that with the hard work and dedication of the council staff, volunteer groups and other supporting organisations, we can achieve great results and offer these welcoming environments for everyone to enjoy.

“Each site offers something for everyone with varying activities, including exploring historic graves, enjoying the peace and tranquility of the surroundings, exploring wildlife, play and adventure, boating and fishing, dog walks and picnics, volunteering and events or just catching up with local people – the list goes on.”

Paul Todd MBE, Keep Britain Tidy’s Green Flag Award Scheme manager, added: “I would like to congratulate everyone involved with all eight sites in achieving a Green Flag Award.

“Each site is a vital green space for the community in Amber Valley, bringing people together and providing opportunities to lead healthy lifestyles.”

You can read the full update from Amber Valley Borough Council here.

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