Yet another record-breaking year for Southend’s parks

October 27, 2020

Cllr Carole Mulroney alongside council parks staff and volunteers for the Friends of Leigh Library Gardens

The council is delighted to announce that it now boasts seven award winning parks as the town celebrates achieving a record number of Green Flags.

Chalkwell, Belfairs, Southchurch, Shoebury, and Priory Parks all retained their Green Flag awards along with Southchurch Hall Gardens, whilst Leigh Library Gardens achieved a Green Flag in its first year of entry, thanks to the dedicated support of the Friends of Leigh Library Gardens group.

The Green Flag awards recognise well maintained parks and green spaces across the country, and Southend’s parks have featured in the awards frequently over the past few years, showing off the spectacular green spaces available to residents and visitors throughout the year.

Cllr Carole Mulroney, cabinet member for environment and planning, said: “Across the town we have a fantastic offering of parks and open spaces, and the Green Flags reiterate the quality offer available to residents, and on any other year, the millions of visitors we welcome each year to the Borough.

“The council and our residents are passionate about the green spaces in our town, and so to achieve yet another record number of Green Flag parks is testament to the hard work of our parks team.

“I must also thank the brilliant volunteer groups who work tirelessly year round in our parks, with personal and very special thanks to those involved in the Friends of Leigh Library Gardens group who have been working with the council to bring Leigh Library Gardens up to the standard needed to achieve its first ever Green Flag award.”

Russell Hallmark, chair of the Friends of Leigh Library Gardens, said: "At a time when green space is so important for social wellbeing, the receipt of this award is a fantastic outcome for our community and the visitors to Leigh-on-Sea. I would like to acknowledge the commitment from our volunteers and the successful collaboration with the council’s parks team for achieving this important milestone in our first year - which now presents us with the possibility to build on this success and to enhance and improve the gardens further.”

Please visit www.southend.gov.uk/parks-open-spaces for more information parks and open spaces in Southend.