Two parks in the Waitākere Ranges have been awarded the prestigious Green Flag award, the international quality mark for parks and green spaces.
Both Parrs Park in Oratia and Waikumete Cemetery won the award in 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019, with Waikumete the first cemetery to win the award in the southern hemisphere, and join 22 other parks across New Zealand including six others in Auckland in winning the award this year.
The award recognises and rewards parks and green spaces providing high quality and innovative recreational experiences for our communities and sets a benchmark standard for recreational outdoor spaces worldwide.
Beauty on our doorstep
Waitākere Ranges Local Board Chair Greg Presland says the beauty on our doorstep shouldn’t be underestimated.
“In my opinion, the Waitākere Ranges area is the most spectacular and beautiful part of Auckland,” he says.
“That we have not one, but two parks on the list underlines that point for me. What a place we are lucky enough to live in.
“Both Parrs park and Waikumete Cemetery are incredible places to spend time.
Thanks
“On behalf of the board and the community I want to offer my congratulations and thanks to all those who work tirelessly to maintain and care for these parks – the effort they are going to clearly is paying off and we are incredibly fortunate and grateful for the work that goes into caring for the parks.
“The awards are richly deserved and long may this winning streak continue,” He says.
The awards scheme, which launched in England over two decades ago and was introduced to Australasia in 2012, assesses how well green spaces meet the needs of the local community.
Managed locally by Recreation Aotearoa and overseen by Keep Britain Tidy, judging criteria for the awards includes quality of services, safety, maintenance, community involvement and sustainability.
