Welshpool Town Council seeking Green Flag status for Maesydre
A town's recreation ground could soon be recognised as one of the best green spaces in the country.
Welshpool Town Council is seeking the prestigious Green Flag Status for Maesydre Recreation Ground – the benchmark national standard for parks and green spaces in the UK.
The council's services and property committee is recommending the application claiming the Maesydre meets the high standards laid down by Green Flag Award scheme.
Not only the home of Welshpool Town FC, Maesydre, known locally as 'The Rec', also serves the rest of the community and sports teams with its array of pitches and facilities including its junior football pitch, Scansis all weather pitch at Oldford, a rugby pitch, cricket pitch, two bowling greens, hockey pitch, showers and changing rooms, children's playgrounds, and even a skate park.
Councillor Graham Breeze, council services and property committee chairman, described the recreation ground as the "jewel in Welshpool's crown".
He said: "It would be a real honour to fly the Green Flag for Welshpool.
"The Green Flag Award is the benchmark national standard in the United Kingdom and for Welshpool to have that sort of recognition would be fantastic.
"We always get lots of comments on the condition of the ground and how good our facilities here are from visiting clubs, and that's what the scheme is about, it recognises excellence in the management of public spaces and provides a high level of quality against which our parks and green spaces are judged.
He added: "The town council is immensely proud of the Maesydre Recreation Ground and gaining Green Flag status will not only be a reward for the years of hard work maintaining the area but should also encourage others to achieve high environmental standards."
The recommendation will be heard later this month at the March meeting of Welshpool Town Council.