4 days ago
- General
- South Wales Guardian
Betws Park community garden wins Green Flag Community Award
The Friends of Betws Park has earned the Green Flag Community Award from environmental charity Keep Wales Tidy for its work transforming a disused area in Betws Park into a thriving green space.
The volunteer group has turned what was once a set of derelict tennis courts into a raised vegetable garden, nature area and wildflower meadow for the community to enjoy.
Creating the area has been a source of pride for the volunteers, who find joy in seeing the 'happy young faces of the school pupils and college students, along with members of the community, who are able to stroll through the garden on a visit to the park.'
Pupils from Ysgol y Betws who volunteer at the park (Image: Stuart Ladd)
The transformed space is now used by schools, colleges and visitors, and aims to educate young people about food growing and nature.
The area also supports biodiversity and encourages community involvement in environmental stewardship.
This year, 223 community-managed green spaces across Wales met the high standards required to achieve the Green Flag Community Award.
The Green Flag programme, now in its third decade, recognises well-managed parks and green spaces in 20 countries worldwide.
A sensory garden is included in the park (Image: Stuart Ladd)
Lucy Prisk, Green Flag co-ordinator for Keep Wales Tidy, said: "We're thrilled to see a new record number of 223 community-managed green spaces in Wales have achieved Green Flag status, which is testament to the dedication and hard work of hundreds of volunteers.
"These sites, which play a vital role in the physical and mental well-being of communities across Wales, are now recognised as among the best in the world, having met the high standards required to achieve Green Flag Community status.
"Congratulations!"
The Friends of Betws Park and their supporters gathered over the weekend to celebrate the award.
The full list of Green Flag award winners is available on the Keep Wales Tidy website.
