Three public green spaces in Loughborough have been recognised with Green Flag awards, an international mark of quality for parks and open spaces. The honours underline sustained work by council staff, contractors and volunteers to maintain and improve local amenities used by residents across the town.
Which sites were recognised
The awards were presented to the following locations in the Charnwood borough:
- Rectory Wildlife Garden (Rectory Road) — awarded a Community Green Flag for the first time;
- Forest Road Greenbelt — Community Green Flag retained for the 11th consecutive year;
- Queen’s Park — maintained its Green Flag for the 18th consecutive year.
| Green space | Award status |
|---|---|
| Rectory Wildlife Garden | Community Green Flag (first time) |
| Forest Road Greenbelt | Community Green Flag (11th year) |
| Queen’s Park | Green Flag (18th year) |
Local leadership and volunteer effort highlighted
Charnwood Borough Council credited partner organisations and volunteers for the success. The council works with contractors and community groups to manage planting, pathways, litter collection and wildlife initiatives that contribute to the standards assessed by the Green Flag judges.
“These Green Flag awards are an excellent achievement for the area and for everyone who works hard each year at all three open spaces to maintain them to the highest standard,”
said Councillor Anne Gray, the council’s Lead Member for Open Spaces. Councillor Jewel Miah, Leader of Charnwood Borough Council, also thanked staff and volunteers for their efforts.
Community groups respond
Representatives of volunteer groups welcomed the recognition. John Dimmick, secretary of the Rectory Wildlife Garden, described the award as a significant endorsement of the work put in by volunteers and partners. Pat Cook, chair of the Forest Road Greenbelt Gardeners, pointed to sustained dedication across the year as the reason for success.
Those involved emphasised the collaborative nature of the achievement: the council, its operational partner i dverde, waste contractor Serco and an active volunteer network were all named as contributors. Queen’s Park is owned and managed by the council with continued assistance from the volunteer group Friends of Queen’s Park.
What it means for residents
The Green Flag awards provide residents with independent assurance that their parks meet recognised standards for maintenance, safety and community involvement. For users of the town’s green spaces, the honours should preserve the availability of well-managed areas for walking, play and wildlife watching, and may strengthen bids for future funding or community projects.
Looking ahead, the long-running recognition for Forest Road Greenbelt and Queen’s Park underlines the value of ongoing investment, while Rectory Wildlife Garden’s first-time award highlights the impact that coordinated volunteer action can have on delivering tangible benefits for neighbourhoods across Loughborough.
