Woodford Park in Woodley has been awarded the Green Flag Award for the ninth consecutive year, Woodley town council has announced. The accolade, which recognises excellence in parks and green spaces, marks the park out as the only site in Wokingham borough to hold the designation this year.
National recognition as scheme turns 30
The award comes as the Green Flag scheme celebrates its 30th anniversary. This year a record 2,391 parks and green spaces across the UK received the accolade, a figure highlighted by local officials when they confirmed Woodford Park’s continuing status.
Judges commended the park’s management for high standards in cleanliness and safety, for its work supporting biodiversity, and for the strength of community involvement in running and shaping the space. The town council pointed to a programme of community-led events and targeted improvements that reflect residents’ views.
“Parks are essential public spaces that support our wellbeing, our communities and our economy... With public services under pressure, investing in parks is not a luxury, it’s a practical, preventative solution and one of the most visible ways to improve people’s quality of life.” — Paul Todd MBE, Green Flag award manager, Keep Britain Tidy
Local effort credited
Council officers and volunteer groups were singled out for their role in the park’s success. Woodley’s grounds maintenance team and the volunteer organisation Friends of Woodford Park were identified as central to sustaining the standards required for the award.
- Woodford Park: awarded Green Flag for the ninth successive year
- Only park in Wokingham borough to receive the award this year
- Part of a national cohort of 2,391 Green Flag sites in 2026
What the award means for residents
For users, the Green Flag status signals a park judged to be safe, well-managed and welcoming. The recognition also strengthens the case for continued funding and volunteer support, at a time when local authorities face competing budgetary pressures.
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| Consecutive Green Flag awards for Woodford Park | 9 |
| Green Flag sites nationally in 2026 | 2,391 |
| Woodford Park’s status in Wokingham borough | Only recipient this year |
The continued recognition may help attract more volunteers and bolster demands for maintenance budgets, observers say, as communities look to preserve local green spaces that contribute to physical and mental wellbeing. Woodley town council has framed the award as evidence of local pride and effective partnership between paid staff and volunteers.
Residents wishing to get involved with the park’s activities or the Friends group should contact Woodley town council for details of forthcoming events and volunteering opportunities.
