Mansfield's Bentinck Memorial will be lit up green tonight to mark the district's success in the annual Green Flag Awards.
Seven council parks and Local Nature Reserves were today (14 October) revealed to have again won the prestigious awards which recognise the best parks and green spaces across the country.
They include five parks - Carr Bank, Titchfield and King George V, all in Mansfield, plus Peafield and Yeoman Hill, in Mansfield Woodhouse - and two Local Nature Reserves at Quarry Lane, Mansfield and The Carrs in Warsop.
The good news is all the more pleasing given that Parks staff have been working hard and in challenging circumstances to support vital council services such as Waste and Recycling since the start of the pandemic.
Mansfield's parks and open spaces were among more than 2,000 sites across the country to collect the award for 2020.
The town's landmark will be joining buildings and places across the country, including the White Cliffs of Dover, the London Stadium in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and Salford’s Media City, being lit up in green to celebrate Green Flag Award scheme successes and to say a thank you to the parks staff, volunteers and the Green Flag Award judges for all their work this year.
Cllr Andy Burgin, Portfolio Holder for the Environment, said: "Over the past seven months I am sure everyone has really been able to appreciate the importance of public open spaces and no more so in Mansfield, which is blessed with some really special parks and nature reserves.
"Gaining Green Flags are a sign of just how high the standards of our local facilities are and how beautifully maintained they are, too.
"We are so proud of our Parks team and our many Friends' groups who do a fantastic job of caring for the council's 150 parks and open spaces, covering a total of 260 hectares, all year round."
The Green Flag Award scheme, managed by environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy under licence from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, recognises and rewards well-managed parks and green spaces, setting the benchmark standard for their management across the United Kingdom and around the world.
Keep Britain Tidy Chief Executive Allison Ogden-Newton OBE said: “This year, more than ever, our parks and green spaces have been a lifeline and we know that millions of people have used them to relax, meet friends, exercise or simply escape for a short time.
“It is testament to the incredible dedication and hard work of parks staff and volunteers that, despite the challenges that went along with record numbers of visitors, Mansfield has achieved the highest international standards demanded by the Green Flag Award.”
Visitors in Mansfield can enjoy many sports and activities all year round. These include tennis, petanque, football, golf (King George V Park), family picnics, dog walks, outdoor gym equipment, trim trails, cycling and children’s play equipment. Anyone who would like to get involved as a volunteer at any of Mansfield's parks and green spaces contact the Parks team on 01623 463510.
As the district joins the rest of Nottinghamshire in being placed under the high local Covid alert level of restrictions from today, up to six people from different households can continue to meet outside in our parks and nature reserves. People doing so should continue to stay at least 2 metres apart - or 1 metre with face covering or other precautions - and sanitise their hands regularly. Remember - Hands, Face, Space - Keep Mansfield safe!