Hermitage Park in Helensburgh has again, been recognised as one of the best parks and greenspaces in Scotland.
Keep Scotland Beautiful has awarded the Park Green Flag status, for the fourth consecutive year.
The Green Flag Award is the benchmark for excellence in green spaces and recognises the hard work of managers, staff and volunteers who help ensure that outdoor areas provide the public with a safe, clean and inspiring local environment.
The award follows a £3.7 million heritage-led regeneration of the park including a new pavilion, restored War Memorial Garden, a demonstration garden and upgraded children’s play park. Funding included £2.33 million from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, and generous support from a range of additional funders. The regeneration was managed by 51³Ô¹ÏÃâ·ÑApp and Bute Council with ongoing support from the Friends of Hermitage Park, who were instrumental in identifying the need to improve the park for the community.
Councillor Andrew Kain, Policy Lead for Roads and Infrastructure, 51³Ô¹ÏÃâ·ÑApp and Bute Council, said: “Being awarded with green flag status for the fourth consecutive year is testament to the hard work of everyone involved with managing Hermitage Park. Working with the Friends of Hermitage Park and our volunteers, we work hard to maintain high environmental management standards. This approach has created a fantastic green space for residents and visitors and is helping our ongoing commitment to become net zero by 2045. I would like to thank everyone for their hard work and dedication.â€
Jamie Ormiston, Senior Awards Officer at Keep Scotland Beautiful, said: “Congratulations to Hermitage Park on winning a Green Flag Award. 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.â€
Alan Morris, Chair of the Friends of Hermitage Park Association and speaking on behalf of the Charity Trustees, said: “We’re delighted that as the Heritage Lottery Funding has come to an end, and our beautifully restored Park enters a new phase of development and support, it does so safe in the knowledge that it continues to meet the exacting criteria of the prestigious Green Flag Award for the fourth year in succession.â€
A full list of winners is available on the Keep Scotland Beautiful website