Douglas Borough Council has been awarded nine Green Flags by the environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy.

As well as retaining its eight awards from 2018 – for Noble’s Park, Douglas Golf Course, Douglas Head, Douglas Borough Cemetery, Hutchinson Square, the Marine Gardens, Derby Square and Summerhill Glen – the Council won a new Green Flag for the Kaye Memorial Garden, (pictured below).

Regeneration and Community Committee Chair Councillor Stephen Pitts said: ‘This is yet another triumph for the Parks Service team who create consistently magnificent green spaces throughout our town.

‘I am especially pleased that, on the first application, the Kaye Memorial Garden has achieved Green Flag status this year. With its memorial to those who died in the Summerland fire disaster of 1973, the garden provides a fittingly tranquil setting for quiet contemplation.

‘To be recognised once again by such a respected independent body is testimony to the team’s year-round hard work. The Green Flag judges were impressed not only by the colourful planting and overall visual appeal, but also by how the sites are making a positive contribution to the quality of life in the capital. I congratulate everyone involved on this outstanding result.’

Council Leader Councillor David Christian MBE JP said: ‘Yet again Douglas has been ranked alongside local authorities in the north west of England with much larger populations, which makes winning these nine Green Flags all the more significant.

‘Douglas is one of only two local authorities in the Island to have been awarded Green Flags and, despite relentless pressures on our budgets, we remain fully committed to the campaign. By way of example, in Noble’s Park the Council is investing £195,000 in a new skateboard park and has installed a water circulation system for the supremely popular splash zone at a cost of £65,000, which will not only save on water but is also estimated to pay for itself within five years. Meanwhile, in Summerhill Glen, we continue to invest in more new features - a commitment of some £25,000 for the current financial year - and later this year we look forward to seeing the Council’s partnership with Isle of Play come to fruition, when this local charity will deliver a unique children’s play experience in Ballaughton Park.

‘Once gained these awards are not automatically renewed annually; Green Flag holders must re-apply every year, so it is a constant challenge for the Parks Service to come up with new schemes and to carry on delivering consistently high standards.

‘Green Flag awards aren’t just about well-tended parks and gardens; they’re about investing in community spaces that add value to people’s lives and contribute to creating a positive image for the town. In this our Head of Parks David Hewes and his team are always looking at ways of to present our open green spaces in the best possible light - one of the cornerstones of the Council’s Corporate Plan which pledges to position Douglas as a desirable place to live, work and visit.’

The Green Flag award scheme takes into account environmental, management and future planning policies along with community involvement. It is judged by more than 700 experts and is the benchmark national standard for parks and green spaces across the British Isles, Europe, Australia and New Zealand.