Six open spaces in Caerphilly County Borough have been awarded a prestigious Green Flag for 2017.
The award recognises and rewards the best parks and green spaces in the country as well as driving up the quality of such green spaces.
Cwmcarn Forest, Morgan Jones Park in Caerphilly, Waunfawr Park in Crosskeys and Parc Cwm Darran have all retained their Green Flag status, while Ystrad Mynach Park and Brithdir Cemetery are new recipients of the award in recognition of excellent facilities and a commitment to delivering quality green spaces.
In addition, a further seven sites in the county borough – Morgan Jones Community Allotment, Roger Lewis Woodland Garden, Shingrig Road Allotments, St Andrews Community Churchyard, Trevelyan Court, Coed-y-Werin and Trethomas Community Allotment received the coveted Green Flag Community Award.
Cllr Dave Poole, Leader of Caerphilly County Borough Council, said: “Congratulations must go to everyone involved in ensuring these parks and open spaces are high quality facilities for the community to enjoy.
“It’s especially pleasing to see that so many of our local community groups are being rewarded for their dedication to making their local open spaces such pleasant places. These awards are the international mark of a quality park or green space, and we’re very fortunate to have such high quality facilities on our doorstep.”
The Green Flag scheme is run in Wales by environmental charity Keep Wales Tidy, with support from the Welsh Government.
It is judged by green space experts, who volunteer their time to visit applicant sites and assess them against eight strict criteria, including horticultural standards, cleanliness, environmental management and community involvement.
This year, a total of 183 parks and green spaces in Wales were awarded either a Green Flag or a community award.