Parks wave the flag

11:08am Tuesday 22nd July 2008

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SIX Trafford parks entered for Green Flag awards have earned the national seal of approval.

Walkden Gardens, Worthington Park, Trafford Ecology Park, Hullard Park, Victoria Park and Denzell House gardens all received the accolade, which is the standard nationwide for parks and green spaces.

Executive councillor Jonathan Coupe said: “This is excellent news and the culmination of much hard work from the council, partners, friends groups and other volunteers to maintain and improve our green spaces so that they can continue to be enjoyed by local people and visitors to Trafford.”

Walkden Gardens boasts a Japanese garden, compass point and Dovecote and the Friends of Walkden Gardens have developed a comprehensive events programme and secured grant funding for further horticultural developments.

Garth Jones, from the Friends of Walkden Gardens, said: "We are delighted to be able to fly the Green Flag again for Walkden. It's fantastic for all the hard work of the group to be recognised by this special award."

To find out more about Walkden Gardens visit www.walkdengardens.co.uk Worthington Park has a new addition, a giant chainsaw-carved sculpture, which is proving popular. The Friends of Worthington Park have been busy with a series of car boot sales over the summer months. They are also developing a tree trail and education pack.

Ruth Fletcher, from the group, said: ‘We’re delighted to get the Green Flag again. It's fantastic to see the park improving year on year and really gives us the drive to keep up the hard work on all our projects’.

To find out more visit www.communigate.co.uk/chesh/friendsofworthingtonpark/ Recent improvements at Victoria Park include the garden of tranquility - an inclusive sensory garden. The park benefits from the sustainable practices of composting on site, minimising pesticides and avoiding the use of horticultural peat.

Pauline, from the Friends of Victoria Park, said: “We are delighted to be awarded the Green Flag award which recognises the strong community involvement taking place in Victoria Park."

For more information visit www.fovps.org.uk The gardens at Denzell House a grade 2 listed building, contrast with the Devisdale, a wild grassland and Site of Biological Importance.

The Friends of Denzell led recent investment including the £10,000 restoration of stone work and planting on the Victorian Sunken Garden.

Friends chair, John Lloyd, said: “ We are very proud of Denzell Gardens and the Devisdale and we are very proud of our Green Flag. At present we are looking to improve on our events programme at Denzell Gardens.”

To become a member call .0161 928 4272.

Improvements at Hullard Park include a wildlife conservation pond and renovated children’s play area. The park contains a wildflower meadow and there are sustainability initiatives such as on site composting, Christmas tree recycling and pesticide minimisation.

Trafford Ecology Park, Trafford Park contains a mixture of key wildlife habitats. There is a lake and a Site of Biological Importance.

Find out more about all parks in Trafford visit www.trafford.gov.uk/parks