Five South Dublin County Council Parks Awarded Green Flags

South Dublin County Council has been awarded five prestigious Green Flag Awards from An Taisce Environment Education Unit.

Waterstown Park, Sean Walsh Park, Tymon Park, Corkagh Park and Rathfarnham Castle Park were all awarded Green Flags Awards at an announcement by the Minister of State with responsibility for Community Development and Charities, Joe O’Brien TD.

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 strict criteria, including horticultural standards, cleanliness, sustainability, and community involvement. Public town parks, country parks, gardens, cemeteries, nature parks and green spaces are eligible for the award. 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.

Only awarded for exceeding tough environmental standards in green space management, and excellence of visitor attractions – the Green Flag Award Scheme is the mark of a quality park or green space and is recognised throughout the world. This year over 2,300 public sites in 16 countries around the World have achieved Green Flag or Green Flag Community Award status.

Mayor of South Dublin County, Councillor Peter Kavanagh, raised the flag on Wednesday 17 November 2021 at Rathfarnham Park, and said, 

“The raising of the Green Flag recognises and rewards the provision of high-quality parks and green spaces. It is a great achievement for South Dublin County Council to have won such a prestigious award for Rathfarnham Castle Park and our other four award-winning parks. This award demonstrates the hard work of staff in the park in implementing the Council’s parks management plan. The Park is a haven for residents in Rathfarnham especially in this time of Covid restrictions. Without our public parks and gardens, our lives would have been much further reduced and confined. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of the hard work put in by park staff, and community volunteers and residents’ groups.”