Boston Borough Council is celebrating after receiving a Green Flag Award for Central Park for the first time.
The Green Flag Award is an internationally recognised standard for parks and green spaces, managed by environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy.
Central Park is one of a record breaking 2,391 in the UK to achieve the award this year – a fantastic testament to the hard work, passion and dedication of the teams and volunteers who care for this green space, ensuring it is maintained to a high standard for visitors and residents to enjoy.
Boston Borough Council and Boston Town Area Committee set out to achieve the coveted award for the first time and developed a comprehensive management plan to help secure Green Flag status.
Significant improvements have since been delivered through a combination of council investment, partnership working and the support of local volunteers.
A judge visited the park in May who assessed it against nine key criteria, including welcoming place, environmental management, biodiversity, safety, cleanliness, community involvement and overall management.
As part of the programme of improvements, two substantial new planting beds were created along the main entrance pathway. Volunteers from Boston in Bloom dedicated their time to planting new shrubs, while local business JCS Driveways provided three members of staff to assist with tree planting.
The park has also benefited from the creation of a new wildlife habitat area to encourage biodiversity, alongside the installation of new inclusive pathways that enable more people to access and enjoy nature areas and quiet spaces throughout the park.
Further improvements include renovation and clearance work around the buoy to improve accessibility, enhancements to shrub beds throughout the park, and the careful restoration of existing benches. The benches were stripped back, refurbished by the Council’s Neighbourhoods team and repositioned across the park to provide improved seating areas for visitors.
Funding provided by the Boston Partnership Fund and UK Shared Prosperity Fund has helped deliver more inclusive pathways, ensuring even greater access for residents and visitors to enjoy the park and its natural surroundings.
The Green Flag judge praised the park, commenting: “An excellent park right at the heart of the town centre. Boston is one of the most deprived areas of the country (particularly health deprivation) and this park offers a very good quality local facility available to all.”
Councillor Claire Rylott, Portfolio Holder for Green Spaces and Travel at Boston Borough Council, said: “This accreditation is testament to the hard work and dedication of council staff, partners and volunteers who work tirelessly to ensure Central Park remains a high-quality green space for everyone to enjoy. Thank you to everyone who has contributed to this success.
“Gaining Green Flag status is a fantastic accomplishment for everyone involved and I am delighted that we can now proudly fly the Green Flag in Central Park.
“I would encourage residents and visitors to come and see the improvements for themselves and enjoy everything the park has to offer, from its beautiful planting displays and wildlife areas to the opportunities it provides for relaxation, recreation and wellbeing.
“Our work does not stop here and we will continue to invest in and improve the park to ensure it remains a Green Flag standard area that is welcoming and accessible for all.”
Councillor Barrie Pierpoint, Chairman of Boston Town Area Committee, said: “Central Park is a treasured green space in the heart of Boston and is highly valued by the community. It provides opportunities for people to spend time with family and friends, enjoy nature, find a quiet place to relax and benefit their health and wellbeing.
“I am delighted that the park has achieved this prestigious award. It reflects the commitment and dedication of the teams and volunteers who care for the park every day and ensure it remains a welcoming place for residents and visitors alike.
“Boston Town Area Committee remains committed to supporting investment in green spaces because of the significant benefits they bring to our communities, and I look forward to seeing Central Park continue to flourish in the years ahead.”
Paul Todd MBE, Green Flag Manager at Keep Britain Tidy, said: “Parks are essential public spaces that support our wellbeing, our communities and our economy. Yet for millions of people, particularly in the most deprived areas, local parks simply don’t feel safe or welcoming.
“With public services under pressure, investing in parks in not a luxury, it’s a practical, preventative solution and one of the most visible ways to improve people’s quality of life.
“Boston Borough Council have shown what can be achieved when parks are properly supported and managed. As we celebrate 30 years of the Green Flag Award, we want every community to have access to green spaces like this that are safe, welcoming and maintained to a high standard.
“Congratulations to everyone involved.”
The Green Flag Award scheme, managed by environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy under contract from the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government, recognises well-managed parks and green spaces, setting the benchmark standard for the management of green spaces across the United Kingdom and around the world.
