Green flag status for local parks

Three open spaces in Charnwood have been awarded the prestigious Green Flag award which recognise the international standard of excellence for parks and green spaces.

Loughborough’s Rectory Wildlife Garden, the Forest Road Greenbelt and Queen’s Park have all achieved the honour.

It is the first time the Rectory Wildlife Garden has been awarded a Community Green Flag, the Forest Road Greenbelt picks up the Community Green Flag award for the 11^th year in a row, while the popular Queen’s Park is receiving it for the 18^th consecutive year.

Cllr Anne Gray, the Council’s Lead Member for Open Spaces, said: “

These Green Flag awards are an excellent achievement for the area and for everyone who works hard each year at all three open spaces to maintain them to the highest standard.

We are proud of our parks and open spaces across the borough and these awards are fully deserved.

I’d like to thank our open spaces partner, idverde, waste partner Serco, and all the volunteers who work tirelessly to ensure residents and visitors can enjoy them.”

Cllr Jewel Miah, Leader of Charnwood Borough Council added:

“This is a brilliant achievement, and I would like to thank to everyone involved for their hard work.”

John Dimmick, Secretary of the Rectory Wildlife Garden, said:

“This is such a fantastic achievement for everyone that is involved with the garden. I know how hard the council, partners and volunteers work to maintain them. I know they will all be so pleased with this kind of recognition.”

Pat Cook, Chair of the Forest Road Greenbelt Gardeners said: “

The three spaces that have been awarded Green Flags are fully deserved. Hours of hard work and dedication really has paid off. Thank you to the Council, our partners idverde and volunteers for all their support throughout the year that have helped achieved this.”

The Council owns and looks after Queen’s Park with its partner idverde, along with the help of volunteer group Friends of Queen’s Park.

The Loughborough Rectory Wildlife Garden in Rectory Road is a community space maintained by volunteers from the Rectory Wildlife Garden Charity. For more information about the garden, visit www.rectorywildlifegarden.com

The Forest Road Greenbelt is maintained by the Forest Road Greenbelt Gardeners supported by the Council and idverde.

This year marks 30 years of Green Flag award which is managed by Keep Britain Tidy.

Other parks and open spaces in Charnwood to receive a Green Flag for 2025/26 include Loughborough University, Beacon Hill, Stafford Orchard Park in Quorn, Watermead Country Park, Barkby Road Cemetery in Syston and the River Soar and GU Leicester Line from Loughborough to Kilby Bridge.

For more information about the parks and open spaces in Charnwood, visit www.charnwood.gov.uk/parksandopenspaces