Two of the Falkirk area’s public parks have been named among Scotland’s best after receiving Green Flag Awards for 2026. The recognition has again been given to The Helix and Zetland Park, underlining their standing as well-managed and welcoming outdoor spaces for residents and visitors.
Local parks meet national benchmark
The Green Flag scheme, run by the environmental charity Keep Scotland Beautiful, is a widely used measure of quality for parks and community green spaces. This year, a total of 92 Scottish parks were successful — three more than last year — while the UK-wide programme recognised a record number of sites overall.
The two Falkirk sites continue a run of consistent performance. The Helix has now held the award for more than a decade, while Zetland Park has been successful for a fifth consecutive year.
“We’re excited to announce the 2026 Green Flag Award-winning parks and community green spaces. These awards recognise the tremendous work being done by councils, community groups and other organisations to ensure their communities have access to safe and well managed outdoor spaces,”
The quotation above was supplied by Ruairidh MacLeod, awards officer at Keep Scotland Beautiful, who also highlighted the addition of three new winners elsewhere in Scotland this year.
What the awards mean locally
For local residents the designation signals that park facilities, cleanliness and safety meet standards set by the awarding body. It also reflects ongoing management by the council and support from friends groups and volunteers. The sustained recognition for The Helix and Zetland Park may help in future funding and promotional opportunities.
- The Helix — Green Flag recognised for 11 years
- Zetland Park — Awarded for five consecutive years
- Scotland total — 92 parks awarded in 2026
Edinburgh continued to lead the Scottish tally, with more than 35 parks awarded across the city this year, according to the charity. On a UK level, the Green Flag programme recorded a strong year, with over 2,300 green spaces receiving awards in 2026.
Practical information for visitors
Visitors planning trips to these parks can expect maintained paths, signage and communal facilities consistent with Green Flag criteria. The award also encourages people to use the summer months to visit and enjoy the spaces.
| Park | Consecutive years awarded |
|---|---|
| The Helix | 11 |
| Zetland Park | 5 |
The awards underline the role of public green space in community life across Falkirk. Continued recognition will depend on ongoing maintenance and community involvement, and the council and volunteers will be key to maintaining these standards in future assessments.
