EIGHT popular parks in Basingstoke and Deane and Hart have been awarded the prestigious Green Flag, putting them among the very best in the UK.

Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council’s Beggarwood Park, Eastrop Park and War Memorial Park have again gained Keep Britain Tidy’s Green Flag award, the international quality mark for parks and green spaces, for being beautifully maintained, clean and safe, with good facilities for visitors.

Beggarwood Park has scooped the Green Flag award for its second year, while Eastrop Park celebrates its 25th award and War Memorial Park has achieved the standard for a 17th year.

One of the sites in Hart, Fleet Pond, has received the award for the 13th year in a row. It joins Hartley Wintney Central Commons, Elvetham Heath Local Nature Reserve, Hartland Country Park and Edenbrook Country Park who all retain their green flag status.

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The award is a testament to the hard work and dedication of Hart’s countryside rangers who are supported by a community of volunteers. At Fleet Pond, the Fleet Pond Society is pivotal in preserving and enhancing the site, helping to achieve this recognised standard.

BDBC cabinet member for residents’ services and housing Cllr Laura James said: “It is great news that these three popular parks in our borough have been commended again by the Green Flag award panel. These awards recognise the hard work of our teams to keep these valued public spaces well-maintained for residents and visitors.

“We know that the parks and open spaces in our borough are very important to our residents’ health and wellbeing which is why we want to make sure they are accessible to all, well maintained and fun places for our residents and their families to enjoy.”

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Cllr David Neighbour, leader of Hart District Council, said: “We know how much quality green spaces matter to residents and visitors, and these awards celebrate the dedication that goes into maintaining our countryside parks to such a high standard. 

“Our green spaces are essential for residents' health and wellbeing. They provide us with places to walk, run, ride our bikes and enjoy wildlife. These areas in our district are precious.”

The Green Flag scheme aims to raise the standard of parks and green spaces and reflects the hard work of the council’s grounds maintenance, street cleansing and ranger teams that care for the green spaces for everyone to enjoy.