SDCC Parks Receive Five Awards at An Taisce Green Flag Ceremony

Four South Dublin County Council parks have been awarded a prestigious Green Flag Award from An Taisce Environment Education Unit at a ceremony in Maynooth University today, 17 July 2019. Tymon Park was also named as a Category Winner for Town Park.

Corkagh Park, Waterstown Park, Sean Walsh Park were all awarded Green Flags Awards whilst Tymon Park received a Green Flag Award and was also awarded the All Ireland Pollinator Award Overall Category for Town Park.

The Green Flag Award for Parks Scheme is an international standard for well managed public parks and green spaces. Only awarded for exceeding tough environmental standards in green space management, and excellence of visitor attractions – the Green Flag Award for Parks is the mark of a quality park or green space and is recognised throughout the world.

The Green Flag Award is operated within the Republic of Ireland by An Taisce Environmental Education Unit. This year a record 60 Irish Parks and Gardens from across the Republic of Ireland are receiving 2019 Green Flags.

The Green Flag Awards are judged every year by a peer jury of green space experts, who volunteer their time to visit applicant sites and assess them against eight strict criteria, including horticultural standards, cleanliness, sustainability, and community involvement. In Ireland, the Green Flag Award for Parks Scheme has been enthusiastically received by park management as it delivers major wins for the delivery of quality green spaces by respective parks and park departments. These include:

• The promotion and reward for best practice management
• Creation of a plan for improvements and future works
• The building of a collaborative network of park management nationally
• The implementation of environmental sustainability within park management

“In terms of urban renewal, and rural and community development, the Green Flag Award for Parks is a logical and sensible step towards supporting community engagement with green space improvement, and helps increase quality of life within our communities”,

said Robert Moss, the Green Flag Award for Parks Manager for the Republic of Ireland.