The Environmental Charity Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful awarded the prestigious Green Flag Award to a record 43 green spaces across Northern Ireland.

Wallace Park and Castle Gardens, both owned and managed by Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council, are proud to fly the Green Flag in recognition of the outstanding quality of these green spaces. The flags also acknowledge the hard work and dedication required to achieve such a high standard.

The prestigious Green Flag award, supported by Heyn Waste Solutions, sets an international benchmark standard for the management of parks and green spaces. Flying overhead, it is a symbol that shows the public that the space boasts the highest possible standards, is beautifully maintained and has excellent facilities.

Speaking about the receipt of the two awards, Alderman Paul Porter, Chairman of the Council’s Leisure & Community Development Committee, said: “It is excellent news that during its first year Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council has received national recognition for two of the Council’s most popular green spaces.
“Throughout the year residents and visitors alike enjoy the scenery of Wallace Park and Castle Gardens and events held in these areas are always popular.
“This is the first Green Flag for Wallace Park and I believe this is a strong example of all the community based work that takes place within this green space that underwent extensive refurbishment a few years ago.”

Dr. Ian Humphreys, Chief Executive Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful said: “We are delighted to be celebrating another record-breaking year for the Green Flag Award scheme.”

If you are interested in finding out further information about the Green Flag Award or other programmes run by Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful you can email them on enquiries@keepnorthernirelandbeautiful.org call them on 028 9073 6920 or look at their website www.keepnorthernirelandbeautiful.org.

Pictured with the Green Flag Awards presented to Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council are: (l-r) Ross Gillanders, Head of Service (Leisure Services); Jim Rose, Director of Leisure & Community Services;Tony Wilcox, Chairman of Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful; Alderman Paul Porter, Chairman of the Council's Leisure & Community Development Committee; Minister for the Environment Mark H. Durkan; Ian Humphreys Chief Executive Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful and Kim Moore, Heyn Waste Solutions.