Parks, gardens, and allotments all over Aberdeen have retained accolades in a world-wide awards which rewards well managed spaces - just before the city is judged in Britain in Bloom.
Hazlehead Park, Seaton Park, Westfield Park, Victoria Park, Johnstone Gardens, Garthdee Field Allotments, and Slopefield Allotments have been given the Green Flag Award which sets the benchmark standard for the management of recreational outdoor spaces across the UK and around the world. Duthie Park has been awarded Green Heritage Site from the awards which celebrates its historical and cultural significance alongside environmental beauty.
Aberdeen City Council Co-Leader Councillor Ian Yuill said: “Aberdeen is famous for its parks and green spaces. They offer a splendid array of beautiful and peaceful environments for all to enjoy. The Green Flag award is welcome recognition of the high quality of these open places. It is important to maintain them to high standards because of the recreational and health benefits that they offer to residents and to the environment."
Aberdeen City Council Net Zero, Environment and Transport vice convener Councillor Miranda Radley said: “The Green Flag and Green Heritage Site accolades are thanks to the great work carried out by our enthusiastic gardeners and greenkeepers as well as all the amazing community organisations, groups and individuals who help to continue make Aberdeen’s green spaces beautiful.”
The historic fountain in Victoria Park.
The purpose and aim of The Green Flag Award is:
- To ensure that everybody has access to quality green and other open spaces, irrespective of where they live;
- To ensure that these spaces are appropriately managed and meet the needs of the communities that they serve;
- To establish standards of good management;
- To promote and share good practice amongst the green space sector;
- To recognise and reward the hard work of managers, staff, and volunteers.
The Green Heritage Site accreditation acknowledges parks which excel as guardians of history, bring history to life, a place for exploration, preserving authenticity, and understanding the past while inspiring the future.
Aberdeen is in the 2025 finals of the prestigious Britain in Bloom competition after winning the overall best in Scotland award – the Rosebowl - along with the City Trophy, the Royal Caledonian Horticultural Society Award, the VisitScotland Award for Tourism and a Gold Medal Certificate, at the Beautiful Scotland Awards. Britain in Bloom judges will be in Aberdeen next month.
Aberdeen has won a medal in either Britain in Bloom or Beautiful Scotland every year since 2008 and has been award-winning in the competitions since 1964. Aberdeen City Council this year is also celebrating 61 years competing in Britain in Bloom and Beautiful Scotland.