Two green spaces in Midlothian win Green Flag Awards

Saturday July 22nd 2023

Kings-Park-Main

King's Park in Dalkeith has won a Green Flag award.

Written by Midlothian View Reporter, Luke Jackson

Environmental charity Keep Scotland Beautiful has announced two green spaces in Midlothian have been presented with a Green Flag Award.

Recognising the very best of Scotland’s outdoor areas, the International Green Flag Award acts as a benchmark for clean, safe and well-maintained parks and green spaces.

Administered in Scotland by Keep Scotland Beautiful, the Green Flag Award supports the opportunities that green spaces provide to enable exercise, improve mental wellbeing and provide safe spaces for play.

Winners of the 2023 awards include parks managed by local authorities, community groups, universities and other organisations.

Straiton Pond and King’s Park, Dalkeith have both won a Green Flag Award for the first time since 2019.

Jamie Ormiston, Senior Awards Officer at Keep Scotland Beautiful, said:

“Congratulations to our two winners in Midlothian. Every park has a wide range of people visiting them and their requirements can vary. What is essential is that they are well maintained and provide a place for people to relax and have fun.

“Our award-winning parks have demonstrated they are worthy winners, meeting the criteria of the coveted international award. Receiving this prestigious benchmark recognises all the hard work that has gone into maintaining and managing these precious green open spaces.

“It is imperative that Scotland reconnects with the natural world if we are to fix the biodiversity crisis and these green spaces will provide a space for people of all ages to do that.

“Green spaces are so important for our physical and mental wellbeing and it’s fantastic to see such a wide range of parks and green spaces across the entire length of the country. I encourage everyone to make the most of them this summer.”

Provost of Midlothian Councillor Debbi McCall said:

“For Straiton Pond and King’s Park Dalkeith to win prestigious Green Flag Awards is testament to the hard work of our Rangers and Land and Countryside teams, not to mention our valued volunteers.

“Well done to everyone involved in making sure our parks are nationally recognised, high-quality green spaces, improving the health and wellbeing of locals and visitors alike.”

A total of 87 green spaces in Scotland have won a Green Flag Award for 2023. Across the UK there were 2,216 winners, a record number and up eight from 2022’s total of 2,208.

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