Jubilee Park in Weston-super-Mare is one of the best UK parks

JUBILEE Park in Weston-super-Mare has been recognised as one of the country’s best green spaces with a Green Flag Award.

Green Flag Awards recognise and reward the best parks in the country and Jubilee Park in South Ward stood out after impressing the judges with its use of green space, community involvement, well-maintained facilities and high standard of safety and security.

Jubilee Park is the first park in the district to gain this accolade. 

North Somerset Council's executive member for parks and open spaces Elfan Ap Rees said he was also very pleased that Watchhouse Hill Public Open Space in Pill was also given a green flag and the current flags for Uphill Hill, and Abbots Pool in Abbots Leigh have been retained.

He said: "These multiple Green Flag awards for our open spaces are a tribute to the often quiet and behind the scenes work carried out by staff and volunteers who look after our public green areas.

"These will undoubtedly come under new funding pressures as the government austerity measures bite but we are determined in North Somerset to meet that challenge and if necessary find new innovative ways to maintain the high standards we have achieved."

Only green spaces that are free to enter and open to the public are eligible to win an award through the scheme, which is run by environmental charities Keep Britain Tidy, BTCV and GreenSpace.

Paul Todd, manager of the Green Flag Award Scheme, said: "It’s a remarkable achievement that so many parks have successfully reached Green Flag Award status this year.

"The staff running the parks work very hard throughout the year to ensure their facilities are maintained to a high standard and enjoyed by the entire community.

"As the recession bites and people look closer to home to enjoy the outdoors, the provision of high-quality, free open spaces is of particular importance."

The Friends of Jubilee Park are also holding a celebratory event on August 15, which will include music from Tim Pitman, activities for children and a skate jam at the plaza in the park.

The refurbishment of the Jubilee Park was funded by the South Ward Neighbourhood Management Partnership, which received £3.7m of government funding in 2007.  £2m was used to fund capital improvements, such as Jubilee Park, helping to create a cleaner, safer and greener environment for the community.

The whole park was designed by landscape architect, Alex Fraser after extensive consultation was undertaken with local residents, regular park visitors, local skaters, BMX riders and North Somerset Council.

It has a new street skate plaza, dirt bike track and unique play equipment. New stone pillars mark the entrances and new benches have been positioned so you can enjoy the unique park landscape.