Penarth park's Green Flag is a team effort
The quality of a Victorian park in central Penarth has again
been recognised in a national award scheme.
A Green Flag Award winner for the fourth successive year, Belle
Vue is judged to be welcoming, safe and well maintained, with its
ongoing development having a strong involvement from the local
community.
The park is managed by the Vale of Glamorgan Council's parks and
grounds maintenance division with the support of a dedicated
Friends of Belle Vue Park organisation.
Operational manager Phil Beaman said: "This is
another really great team effort. There have been a number of
challenging issues but the park is an example of how communities
can work together with the council to improve the local
environment."
Improvements in the park include refurbished benches, new gates,
dog-proof fencing, signage and path surfaces, additional tree
planting, the installation of two art works, and a completely
refurbished play area. Not only has the Friends group provided the
inspiration but has also raised a lot of the funding.
Cabinet member for visible services Cllr Rob Curtis said: "The
award is a tribute to the marvellous partnership developed between
parks staff, the Friends and the community park keeper.
"The site has seen a renaissance over the last few years
inspired by the dedicated Friends group which has worked with
tireless enthusiasm to raise the standards of the park. This has
been in close collaboration with the council.
"The revitalised park is now the venue for a varied and
stimulating programme of events organised by the Friends group, and
has become a focus for the local community."
Caption: Flying the Green Flag . . . . . from
left: Vale of Glamorgan Council parks and open spaces officer Adam
Sargent, cabinet member for visible services Cllr Rob Curtis,
community park keeper Nick Silva and Friends of Belle Vue Park
secretary Steve Jenkins.
21/12/2007