Delight as four Shropshire sites given Green Flag awards
Four green spaces in Shropshire have been recognised as being among the best in the UK.
Telford Town Park, Severn Valley Country Park, The Mere at Ellesmere and Montgomery Canal have all been given Green Flag awards.
The four have been named among a record-breaking 1,883 UK parks and green spaces that received the prestigious award, which is the mark of a quality park or green space.
This 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.
Telford Town Park, which has been used for several major Telford50 events this year, covers 150 hectares of green space and has undergone significant investment in the last eight years.
Councillor Rae Evans, Telford & Wrekin Council’s cabinet member for tourism, said the award was a sign of the dedication of those that maintain the site.
“We are absolutely delighted to receive a Green Flag Award for the fourth year,” she said.
“We know how much quality green spaces matter to residents and visitors, and this award celebrates the dedication that goes into maintaining Telford Town Park to such a high standard.
“A special thank you goes to the Friends of Telford Town Park.”
The park has a visitor centre, water play park, Skyreach high ropes course, adventure golf, disc golf, all ability play area, teenage activity area, nature and heritage trails, picnic areas and other attractions including Wonderland. Elsewhere, Severn Valley Country Park near Bridgnorth includes a number of walks around its visitor’s centre, as well as beside the river, and in the meadows and woodlands.
The site of a coal mine for more than 400 years, it now boasts 126 acres of park including woodland, meadows and riverside banks.
Work started to reclaim the site in 1986 and it was officially opened in 1992.
The Mere at Ellesmere attracts 240,000 visitors a year and is one of nine meres and mosses in the area.
Montgomery Canal, known as “The Monty” among its users, is a partially restored canal in eastern Wales and northwest Shropshire.
The canal fell into disuse following a breach in 1936 but is being restored.
Around seven miles from Frankton Junction to Gronwyn Wharf is navigable at this current time.
The Green Flag Awards are judged by an army of more than 700 volunteer experts who visit applicant sites and assess them against eight strict criteria, including horticultural standards, cleanliness, sustainability and community involvement.
Further afield, spots across Dudley, Wolverhampton, Sandwell, Staffordshire and Walsall were among those to have scooped the prestigious award.
