Seven green spaces in South Ayrshire win Green Flag Awards

Keep Scotland Beautiful announces 2023 award-winning parks and open green spaces

Environmental charity Keep Scotland Beautiful has announced seven green spaces have been presented with a Green Flag Award.

Recognising the very best of our country's outdoor areas, the International Green Flag Award acts as a benchmark for clean, safe and well-maintained parks and green spaces.

Administered in Scotland by Keep Scotland Beautiful, the Green Flag Award supports the opportunities that our green spaces provide to enable exercise, improve mental wellbeing and provide safe spaces for play.

Winners of the 2023 awards include parks managed by local authorities, community groups, universities and other organisations.

Belleisle Park, a winner for a fifth consecutive year, has won the Green Flag Award with Heritage. The other six winners are Rozelle Park, Fullarton Estate, Newton Park and Ayr Cemetery, as well as Knochcushan Gardens and Orchard Gardens, two new entrants.

Jamie Ormiston, Senior Awards Officer at Keep Scotland Beautiful, said: "Congratulations to all our winners in South Ayrshire. Every park has a wide range of people visiting them and their requirements can vary. What is essential is that they are well maintained and provide a place for people to relax and have fun.

"Our award-winning parks have demonstrated they are worthy winners, meeting the criteria of the coveted international award. Receiving this prestigious benchmark recognises all the hard work that has gone into maintaining and managing these precious green open spaces.

"It is imperative that Scotland reconnects with the natural world if we are to fix the biodiversity crisis and these green spaces will provide a space for people of all ages to do that.

"Green spaces are so important for our physical and mental wellbeing and it's fantastic to see such a wide range of parks and green spaces across the entire length of the country. I encourage everyone to make the most of them this summer."

Councillor Martin Kilbride, Buildings, Housing and Environment Portfolio Holder for South Ayrshire Council, said: "I'm over the moon that seven of our fantastic parks have been recognised with a Green Flag Award. Girvan has been recognised twice with Knockcushan Gardens and Orchard Gardens both receiving an award for the first time.

"These awards highlight the work of our grounds maintenance team who pull out all the stops to ensure our parks and green spaces look their best throughout the year. Community groups also play a large part and I would like to thank them for their efforts."

A total of 87 green spaces in Scotland have won a Green Flag Award for 2023. Across the UK there were 2,216 winners, a record number and up eight from 2022's total of 2,208.