65 parks and green spaces across the North East recognised as the best in the UK

65 parks and green spaces across the North East have been recognised as the best the region has to offer, receiving a coveted Green Flag Award.

The award, bestowed by Keep Britain Tidy, is an international quality mark for parks and green spaces.

Saltwell Park, Chase Park, Exhibition Park, Jesmond Dene, Leazes Park, Walker Park, Benton Quarry Park, Chirton & Redburn Dene Parks, Killingworth Lakeside Park, Marden Quarry Park, Northumberland Park, Preston Cemetery, Wallsend Parks and The Rising Sun Country Park all received the honour.

Gateshead’s Saltwell Park and Chase Park also received a Green Heritage Site Accreditation for the management of historic features.

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Commenting on the announcement of this year’s winners, Keep Britain Tidy Chief Executive Allison Ogden-Newton OBE said: “Our parks continue to provide a vital sanctuary for communities to play, grow and bond.

“The news that 65 parks in the North East have achieved the Green Flag Award standard reflects the tireless work of those tasked with looking after these regional assets.”

It is estimated that active visits to parks in England result in £2bn of avoided costs of ill-health every year.

More than two fifths (42%) of parents of primary aged school children in the North region said “allowing their child to experience nature” was a key reason they take their child to the park, in a YouGov survey carried out for Keep Britain Tidy last summer.

“At Keep Britain Tidy, we’re very proud of the Green Flag Award - a crucial component in ensuring the continuing quality of our parks and green spaces, making sure they are managed to the highest standards and are safe and accessible. We believe it should be a minimum standard for every park – and that everyone, wherever they live, should have access to high-quality green space.

“Parks play a key role in the health and wellbeing of the nation not only in the physical and mental health of us all, but also in the environmental health of the planet.”