Nomansland Common awarded a prestigious Green Flag for the first time
Nomansland Common has been awarded a Green Flag for the first time – national recognition of its outstanding condition.
It is one of five Green Flags won by St Albans City and District Council for its work in maintaining parks and open spaces.
The Green Flag, an international quality mark, was also given to Verulamium Park, Clarence Park and Hatfield Road Cemetery.
Verulamium Park was also awarded Green Heritage Site Accreditation, supported by Historic England, for the excellent management of its ancient Roman features.
The annual Green Flag Award scheme recognises and rewards well-managed parks and open spaces, setting the benchmark for green spaces across the United Kingdom and the world.
Nomansland, which lies between Sandridge and Wheathampstead, is a popular spot for walkers and dog owners.
Councillor Helen Campbell, Chair of the Council’s Public Realm Committee and Lead for Parks, said:
I’m thrilled that we have added to our Green Flag collection this year, retaining those we won last year and adding Nomansland to the list.
My thanks go to our hard-working and dedicated parks and green spaces team along with our grounds maintenance contractor John O’Conner.
Thanks also to Hertfordshire County Council's Countryside Management Service who help with Nomansland as well as other sites and manage the volunteers who work on issues such as habitat restoration.
Nomansland is a wonderful, atmospheric place on the borders of Heartwood Forest and it is about time that it received the distinction of a Green Flag.
These five awards demonstrate our commitment to providing our residents with wonderful places where they can enjoy the great outdoors, exercise or meet up with friends and family.
Paul Todd, Green Flag Award Manager at Keep Britain Tidy, said:
Parks are essential public spaces that support our wellbeing, our communities and our economy.
With public services under pressure, investing in parks is not a luxury, it’s a practical, preventative solution and one of the most visible ways to improve people’s quality of life.
St Albans City and District Council has 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.
Elsewhere in the District, Harpenden Common and Lydekker Park – both owned by Harpenden Town Council – retained their Green Flags.
Jersey Farm Woodland Park, owned by Sandridge Parish Council, kept its Green Flag Community Award.
The Green Flag Award scheme is managed by environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy under licence from the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government.
Any green space that is freely accessible to the public is eligible to apply for a Green Flag Award. Awards are given on an annual basis and winners must apply each year to renew their Green Flag Award status.
The Council has been receiving Green Flags for well over a decade. More information about the scheme is available here.
Photo: Councillor Helen Campbell at Nomansland.
Media Contacts: www.stalbans.gov.uk/news-and-whats.