Parks win back green status as improvements made

Leazes Park in Newcastle has gained back its Green Flag status

Two city parks have won back their Green Flag status, a year after losing the prestigious award.

Leazes and Walker parks, both in Newcastle, have reclaimed the Keep Britain Tidy accolade for green spaces after missing out a year ago.

The 150-year-old Leazes Park was the subject of a row over damage caused after it hosted a music festival in May 2024, while there were concerns over anti-social behaviour and arson at Walker Park.

Green Flag judges said "great strides have been made" to improve the parks over the past year.

Newcastle City Council took control of the city's parks when management charity Urban Green Newcastle (UGN) was put into liquidation.

The return of the flags at the two parks, as well as the existing awards retained at Exhibition Park and Jesmond Dene, means Newcastle has four parks that hold the status with the environmental charity.

Judges said there had been "huge improvements" in order to "return Leazes Park to a very attractive, well-managed green space much enjoyed by a great number of visitors".

Stone pillars were damaged at Leazes Park following a festival in May 2024

The Victorian park was not even entered for the 2024 awards, while locals had complained of the historic attraction being "damaged beyond repair" under UGN's rule.

Alex Hay, the Labour-run council's deputy leader, thanked volunteers and friends groups, as well as businesses and the public, for their support and time which has lead to the "fantastic achievement".

He said: "Urban Green Newcastle achieved a great deal during its five years, and the progress we've made since March shows we are building on that strong foundation.

"The news that four of our parks have met the high standards required for Green Flag accreditation is a credit to the hard work and commitment of the teams who maintain them, making sure they remain enjoyable for both residents and visitors."

Blakelaw councillor Marion Williams, of the Friends of Leazes Park, said the community had "worked hard" alongside the city council to win back the Green Flag through measures such as litter picks, and there were plans to plant a new orchard.

Williams warned it would "take time" to make major repairs, but there was now a "working relationship" between friends groups and parks chiefs.