News 

The social value of our green spaces was celebrated at the annual Green Flag Awards at Bangor Castle Walled Garden. The green heroes from across Northern Ireland, Queen's University Belfast, and the Department of Finance were recognised today for the pivotal work they do in maintaining public spaces that provide a critical social value for the public.

A record-breaking 118 sites were awarded this year. This included 82 Green Flag Awards, and 36 Community Green Flags, for spaces managed by voluntary and community groups. Six Heritage Awards were given to sites who also demonstrated excellence in the care of their heritage elements. Four sites also received Green Flag NI Pollinator Awards.

This year, the focus of the awards is recognising the enormous social and environmental value that parks bring to our communities. The awards serve as a vital reminder to the public that our parks and green spaces are accessible to all throughout the year. We must celebrate and preserve them for future generations.

Looking after our green spaces plays a crucial role in supporting both wellbeing and biodiversity. The Green Flag programme sets international standards for our parks to strive toward and provides an important benchmark for the public to understand the quality of what is on their doorstep. This programme offers the opportunity to share best practice across different countries.

The Green Flag Award is an internationally recognised certification for quality environmental management for parks and open spaces. It has become increasingly sought after in Northern Ireland since the local programme was launched in 2008.

Sinead Murray, Local Environmental Quality Manager at Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful who manage the Green Flag accreditation in Northern Ireland, said;

“Our parks are local treasures that help our environment and our well-being. This year's awards have rightly focused on the social value that our green spaces deliver for all of us in Northern Ireland. As citizens, we should be proud of the high standards and the number of amazing spaces that are right on our doorstep. The Green Flag Awards serve as a timely reminder that environmental sustainability and well-being are inextricably linked. I encourage everyone to get out and enjoy their local Green Flag park. “

DAERA Minister Andrew Muir said: “It’s hugely encouraging that this year a record-breaking number of sites have been awarded Green Flags in Northern Ireland.

“This is a respected accreditation recognised across 18 countries, setting a benchmark for high quality outdoor parks and green spaces which can help the public find the best areas to reconnect with nature.

“It’s also important to recognise the tireless work that goes into maintaining these spaces to make them such attractive facilities for their local communities. I would encourage everyone to get out and enjoy some time outdoors in their local Green Flag space.”

Notes to Editors

To view the full list of Green Flag Award winners for Northern Ireland, visit www.keepnorthernirelandbeautiful.org/greenflagaward.

To celebrate the announcement of the 2020 Green Flag Awards for Parks and Open Spaces, Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful are running the #Parkyourthoughts creative writing competition.

COVID-19 has presented many challenges for schools, business and communities across Northern Ireland, and we know that many young people have also been impacted. For many of us lockdown has highlighted the importance of our Parks and Green Spaces, as they offered us a haven during a very difficult time. We have come to appreciate the role these spaces play in maintaining both our physical health and mental wellbeing.

The #Parkyourthoughts competition aims to celebrate the invaluable role of our green spaces during the pandemic, whilst also providing a platform and giving a voice to younger people in Northern Ireland who can often go unheard.

Entrants are simply required to submit a written piece (no more than 1000 words) which captures, explains or celebrates the role their local park or green space played for them during lockdown. Entries can be in the form of a poem, story, letter or other written media – all we ask is that they feature a local Green Space.

The competition is open to all school pupils in Northern Ireland, with a prize available to the primary and post primary pupil (along with their schools) who are selected as the winners.

#Parkyourthoughts competition prizes kindly donated by Gobbins Visitor Centre, Titanic Belfast and Mens' Sheds Antrim Castle Gardens.

Please see the terms and conditions for full competition details.

Terms and Conditions

1-The competition is open to all primary and post primary pupils in Northern Ireland. By entering this competition, you agree to accept and be bound by these terms and conditions.

2-Parents, guardians or the pupil’s teacher must enter on behalf of all entrants and are required to approve the entry and agree to these terms.

3-Entry opens on 14th October 2020 and the closing date for the competition is noon on 13th November 2020 (closing date). Entries received after the closing date will not be considered.

4-To enter this competition, you must write a story, letter, poem or other written media which captures, explains or celebrates the role your local park or green space played for you during lockdown. Entries must be no more 1000 words long.

5-Entries are to be submitted via email to Jamie.miller@keepnorthernirelandbeautiful.org and must include the entrant’s name, age, school and the entrant’s parent, guardian or teachers contact details including their email address.

6-By entering this competition each entrant confirms that his/her entry is their wholly-owned creation.

7-All correctly completed entries will first be judged by the Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful staff. The top 10 shortlisted entries will then be read and judged by the competitions sponsors. Judging decisions are final and the verdict cannot be appealed.

8-One winner will be selected from each of the primary and post-primary groups. A breakdown of the prizes is detailed below.

9-The competition will be judged within 28 days of the closing date (i.e. by 11th December 2020) and the parent, guardian or teacher of the winner will be notified by email.

10-Events may occur which render the awarding of the prizes impossible due to reasons beyond the control of Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful. Keep Northern Ireland beautiful may, at its absolute discretion, vary, amend or suspend any of the prizes with or without notice.

11-Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful may disqualify any entrant whose entry does not comply with these terms and conditions or who, in Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful’s sole determination, has acted in a manner that is fraudulent, dishonest or unjust to other entrants

12-Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful’s decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into in relation to the competition.

13-Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful reserves the rights to amend these terms and conditions or cancel this competition at any stage, if deemed necessary it its opinion, or if circumstances arise outside of its control.

Breakdown of prizes as follows: