Green Flags are now flying on the following parks:

The awards reflect the capital investment and management improvements that Ashfield District Council have implemented over recent years, including new park keepers and improved sports facilities.

Sutton Lawn is now celebrating its eighth year as a Green Flag park, while Kingsway Park and Titchfield Park have successfully retained their flags for the past three years.

The Green Flag Award is the national standard for parks and green spaces and began in 1996 as a means of recognising and rewarding the best green spaces in the country.

The awards have been achieved through a continuing commitment to physical improvements and effective maintenance and the successful involvement of users and community members through park friends groups.

The award is made on an annual basis and to regain the award year on year improvements must be demonstrated, through the implementation of a management plan.

The awards are judged on the following 8 criteria:

• A Welcoming Place
• Clean and Well Maintained
• Healthy, Safe, and Secure
• Sustainability
• Management
• Green Space Strategy
• Conservation and Heritage
• Marketing

Investment in parks is guided by Site Management Plans.

A large proportion of investment has been funded by Section 106 agreements (contributions paid by developers for housing). See the "Improving Open Spaces" page for more information about Section 106 funding.