Four green spaces within Epsom and Ewell have been recognised by the Green Flag Award Scheme as some of the very best in the world. 

Epsom Common Local Nature Reserve, Ewell Court Park, Alexandra Recreation Ground and Rosebery Park join other green spaces awarded this recognition throughout the UK.  

A record-breaking 2,000 green spaces across the country have received this international award in a year when millions of people have seen the value of having great quality green spaces on their doorstep. 

The four green spaces in Epsom and Ewell that were put forward for judging for the award were selected, as they are broadly representative of the different green spaces within the borough: 

•             Epsom Common Local Nature Reserve has won the award for the fourteenth consecutive year. It is the largest local nature reserve in Surrey and is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).

•             Ewell Court Park has won the award for the ninth year in a row. The park is the former gardens of the historical Ewell Court House.

•             Alexandra Recreation Ground has also won the award for the ninth year in a row. It is a sports ground with facilities for cricket, soccer, bowls, tennis and basketball situated in Alexandra Road, Epsom.

•             Rosebery Park has once again won the award for the eighth year running. It is a formal town centre park in Epsom. 

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. 

Councillor Barry Nash, Chair of Epsom & Ewell Borough Council's Community & Wellbeing Committee said: "We are absolutely delighted that four of our parks and green spaces have once again won the Green Flag Award, a testimony to the hard work of our staff and also to the input and support from community groups and volunteers. 

“We know how much quality green spaces matter to residents and visitors, especially more than ever this year, and this Award celebrates the dedication that goes into maintaining our parks and green spaces to such high standards. Let’s continue to respect our beautiful green spaces by keeping them clean and safe for everyone to enjoy. 

“By lighting up a tree in Rosebery Park to mark our Green Flag Award success, we joined buildings and landmarks across the country, going green for parks to celebrate and to say a massive thank you to the parks staff, volunteers and the Green Flag Awards Judges for all their hard work this year.” 

Commenting on Epsom and Ewell’s success, Keep Britain Tidy Chief Executive, Alison 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 a 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, Epsom & Ewell Borough Council’s award winning parks and green spaces have achieved the highest international standards demanded by the Green Flag Award.” 

…

Image: One of the trees in Rosebery Park, Epsom was lit up as part of the going green for parks initiative across the country to celebrate this year’s Green Flag Awards. 

For more information on Epsom and Ewell's parks and open spaces visit www.epsom-ewell.gov.uk    

The Green Flag Awards Scheme (http://greenflagaward.org/) is run by the environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy, under licence from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, in partnership in the UK with Keep Scotland Beautiful, Keep Wales Tidy and Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful. The scheme also operates in an additional 14 countries including Portugal, New Zealand and USA. 

Keep Britain Tidy is a leading environmental charity. We set the standard for the management of parks and beaches, inspire people to be litter-free, to waste less and to live more. We run programmes including Eco-Schools, the Green Flag Award for parks and green spaces and the Blue Flag/ Seaside Awards for beaches. To find out more about Keep Britain Tidy, our programmes and campaigns visit www.keepbritaintidy.org   

Any green space that is free to enter and accessible to the public is eligible to enter for a Green Flag Award. Awards are given on an annual basis and winners must apply each year to renew their Green Flag Award status. A Green Flag Community Award recognises quality sites managed by voluntary and community groups. Green Heritage Site Accreditation is judged on the treatment of the site’s historic features and the standard of conservation.