Dublin parks share Green Flag awards

SEVERAL popular Southside parks have been awarded prestigious Green Flags in this year’s An Taisce competition.

The numbers of International Green Flag Award sites have surged in Ireland this year with new sites accredited by teams of trained judges.

Only awarded for exceeding tough environmental standards in green space management, and excellence of visitor attractions – the Green Flag Award for Parks is the mark of a quality park or green space and is recognised throughout the world.

Last week, An Taisce Environment Education revealed the parks and green spaces that have been awarded a prestigious Green Flag Award for 2019.

From among 17 countries whose parks met the standard this year there were more Green Flag Awards secured by Irish parks and gardens than by any country, other than the UK where the scheme originated in 1996. 

This year participating countries included Australia, Belgium, England, Finland, Germany, Mexico, The Netherlands and New Zealand.

The Minister for Rural and Community Development, Michael Ring, said the  award recognises the effort of communities and volunteers.

“And that is what makes it so special,” he said. “As my Department promotes rural and community development, supporting community level projects like community gardens improves the facilities and attractiveness of these communities.

“We are facilitating people to take positive control on how their communities develop. This Green Flag Community Award and other initiatives in my department, like Tidy Towns, are valuable in im-proving the quality of life for people living in rural areas. They also serve to make these communities more attractive to visitors, and in so doing helps boost tourism.”

Green Flags will be flying once again across Dún Laoghaire Rathdown this Summer as the council celebrates recognition of four of it’s flagship parks, some of the finest in the country.

Marlay Park, Cabinteely Park, Blackrock Park and Peoples Park were all awarded Green Flags, retaining the status for all four parks since 2017.

In addition, the Office of Public Works welcomed the news that nine OPW sites were among the group of 60 Irish parks and gardens across the Republic of Ireland that received their 2019 Green Flags.

The Southside’s St Stephen's Green Park, the Irish National War Memorial Gardens and the Iveagh Gardens were  all awarded the Green Flag at the ceremony in Maynooth College.

Four South Dublin County Council parks were also awarded a prestigious Green Flag Award.

Corkagh Park, Waterstown Park and Sean Walsh Park were all awarded Green Flags Awards whilst Tymon Park received a Green Flag Award and was also awarded the Overall Category for Town Park.

“In terms of urban renewal, and rural and community development, the Green Flag Award for Parks is a logical and sensible step towards supporting community engagement and  helps increase quality of life within our communities,” said Robert Moss, of the Green Flag Awards for the Republic of Ireland.