With parks providing the perfect location for families during the school holidays, Stratford Park in Stroud has been recognised as one of the country’s best green spaces with a prestigious Green Flag Award.

Green Flag Awards recognise and reward the best parks in the country and Stratford Park stood out after impressing the judges with its excellent use of green space, well-maintained facilities and high standard of safety and security.

Councillor Joe Forbes, Cabinet Member for Community Services at Stroud District Council said: “We are delighted to have been awarded a Green Flag for the seventh year in a row. Stratford Park is one of the gems in our district and this recognition is due to the continuous efforts of the park staff who work very hard throughout the year to ensure that the facilities are maintained to a high standard and enjoyed by the entire community.”

This year has seen the highest number of awards handed out – a record 1200 Green Flags and Green Pennants across the UK compared to 1,013 in 2009. Green Pennants are awarded to parks or green spaces managed by a community or voluntary group.

Only green spaces that are free to enter and open to the public are eligible to win an award through the scheme, which is run by environmental charities Keep Britain Tidy, BTCV and GreenSpace.

Paul Todd, Manager, Green Flag Award Scheme, said: “It’s a remarkable achievement that so many parks have successfully reached Green Flag Award status this year.

“As the recession bites and people look closer to home to enjoy the outdoors, the provision of high-quality, free, open spaces is of particular importance.”

The awards could not come at a better time as GreenSpace’s ‘Love Parks’ week takes place between July 24 and August 1, during which people will be encouraged to enjoy the nation’s parks and green spaces.

As part of the ‘Love Parks’ week, work on the new dipping pond in Stratford Park will continue and nature enthusiasts are being encouraged to come along and join in the creation. The pond, which aims to increase the biodiversity of the nearby lake, was started at the recent hugely successful Stroud Festival of Nature event. Anyone interested in taking part should call 01453 754424.