Quality reward for parkfor parkHead (From Penarth Times)

Quality reward for parkfor parkHead

A PENARTH park which has its own'tireless' Friends organisation has won national recognition for its outstanding quality.

Belle Vue Park has been awarded a coveted Green Flag Award under a scheme managed by the Civic Trust and supported by the Countryside Council for Wales.

The Vale of Glamorgan Council is one of only four Welsh local authorities to win a 2005 award, designed to recognise and reward standards of excellence in parks and green spaces.

The work of the Vale Council's Parks and Grounds Maintenance Division has been supported over the past four-and-a-half years by the dedicated Friends of Belle Vue Park, who aim to foster a sense of community among users and help make it a safe and attractive place.

Parks submitted for the award undergo a thorough and rigorous inspection and Belle Vue, which is home to a children's play area and bowling green, will be reassessed later this year as part of an annual inspection process ensuring that high quality standards are maintained.

At a reception hosted by Council Leader Cllr Jeffrey James and Cabinet Members (Visible Services) Cllr Geoff Cox to recognise the hard work of staff, Cllr Cox said: "The prestigious award is recognition of the marvellous partnership efforts of parks division staff, the Friends organisation and the park keeper.

"We are confident that, when they return later this year, the judges will be more than satisfied with the excellent condition of the park."

Providing a'voice' for park users, the Friends organisation is involved in a wide range of activities, including locking and unlocking the park, fundraising for a scheme to improve the children's play area, repairing and repainting benches and organising fundraising events including a festival.

The group comprises park users and representatives of local organisations, the Police and the Vale and Penarth councils.

Friends' chair Nick Penn said: "We are delighted with this award.

"The Green Flag is a real no-nonsense scheme - the judges want to see that the grass is mown, the park is litter free, the benches are in good order and that dogs are kept away from the play area.

"The award also recognises the partnership between the community and the council.

"Volunteers are doing something in the park every day of the year and, in 2004, more than 50 adults and 100 youngsters were involved in one way or another.

"The parks teams are really enthusiastic about keeping Belle Vue looking good - all together that adds up to a park that looks and feels like it's cared for."

The council's Operational Manager (Parks and Grounds Maintenance), Phil Beaman, also thanked his staff and the Friends organisation for their "tireless efforts" in looking after the park.

He said: "The partnership with the Friends has proved to be an ideal way of working with the local community to improve facilities.