Four Bath area parks have been named among the best in the world through the respected Green Flag Award scheme.
Bloomfield Green, Henrietta Park and Royal Victoria Park in Bath and Keynsham Memorial Park are among a record-breaking 
1,797 UK parks and green spaces to receive a prestigious Green Flag Award – the mark of a quality park or green space.
The international award, now into its third decade, is a sign to the public that the space boasts the highest possible environmental standards, is beautifully maintained and has excellent visitor facilities.
Bath & North East Somerset Council cabinet member for community services Cllr Martin Veal said: “We know how much quality green spaces matter to residents and visitors, and this award celebrates the dedication that goes into maintaining all our winners to such a high standard.
“Keynsham Memorial Park and Royal Victoria Park are both destination parks that have won their Green Flags many times before and we are proud that, once again, the standard of these parks has been acknowledged by external judges. 
“For Bloomfield Green, this is their second year of recognition in the City Green category. For Henrietta Park this was their first year of application and both awards show how a dedicated friends group working with the council has helped to fulfil more community expectations and to raise the standard of each green space.”
International Green Flag Award scheme manager Paul Todd said: “We are delighted to be celebrating another record-breaking year for the Green Flag Award scheme.
“Each flag is a celebration of the thousands of staff and volunteers who work tirelessly to maintain the high standards demanded by the Green Flag Award. The success of the scheme, especially in these challenging times, demonstrates just how much parks matter to people.” 
The Green Flag Awards Scheme is run by the environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy, under licence from the Department of Communities and Local Government.
Winners this year span parks, gardens, cemeteries, universities, museums, hospitals, shopping centres and canals. Among this year’s new entries are the community garden at London’s Tate Modern and the grounds of the National Maritime Museum in Greenwich, London.
This year more than 37m people in this country will visit a park across the UK.
Pictured: Top, Friends of Henrietta Park. Centre, Friends of Bloomfield Green. Bottom, council grounds staff from Royal Victoria Park and Keynsham Memorial Park
