Source: City of Portsmouth
Portsmouth’s ‘People’s Park’ has been granted a Green Flag Award, making it officially one of the best parks in the UK.
And that’s not all – three other popular areas of Portsmouth – Southsea Rock Garden, Milton Park in Southsea, and Baffins Pond – have also retained a Green Flag status – the international mark of quality for parks and green spaces in the UK.
Portsmouth’s historic Victoria Park has recently had a £2.9m refurbishment, carried out by Portsmouth City Council and funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund.
Council Leader Cllr Steve Pitt said:
“A huge amount of work has gone into reinvigorating Victoria Park into Portsmouth’s ‘People’s Park’, so it can continue to be enjoyed by families and people of all ages for years to come.
“Green Flag status is the benchmark for parks and green spaces in UK, so this award is recognition of the hard work to create a park where people and nature come together in harmony. Retaining the award in our other areas also underlines our commitment to maintaining the highest standard of outdoor spaces for our residents.”
Victoria Park was first opened in 1878, and in 2021, a four-year project began to revitalise the park. The fountain and memorials were fully restored, a new under-fives play area created, the aviary restored and new community-use building the ‘Green House’ built in the park’s centre.
Stuart McLeod, Director of England – London & South at The National Lottery Heritage Fund, said:
“We’re delighted to see Victoria Park receive the prestigious Green Flag Award, recognising it as one of the country’s best-loved green spaces. Thanks to National Lottery players, this historic park has been restored to its former glory while creating new opportunities for the community to connect with nature and heritage in their city.
“This award is a testament to the dedication of Portsmouth City Council and the local community in making Victoria Park a vibrant, inclusive and sustainable space for generations to come.”
The four Portsmouth areas are among the 2,250 in the UK to achieve the award.
Southsea Rock Garden offers a quiet retreat for visitors and rich habitat for wildlife, and the Friends of Southsea Rock Garden volunteers play a vital role in maintaining and improving it.
Green Flag Award Scheme Manager, Paul Todd MBE, said:
“Congratulations to everyone involved in Victoria Park who have worked tirelessly to ensure that it achieves the high standards required for the Green Flag Award.
“Quality parks and green spaces like Victoria Park make the country a heathier place to live and work in, and a stronger place in which to invest.
“Crucially, Victoria Park is a vital green space for communities in Portsmouth to enjoy nature, and during the ongoing cost of living crisis it is a free and safe space for families to socialise. It also provides important opportunities for local people and visitors to reap the physical and mental health benefits of green space.”
The Green Flag Award scheme, managed by environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy under licence from the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government, recognises and rewards well-managed parks and green spaces, setting the benchmark standard for the management of green spaces across the United Kingdom and around the world.