Christ's Pieces recognised as one of the UK's very best green spaces

Christ's Pieces has been recognised by the Green Flag Award Scheme as one of the very best in the country.

The city centre park, which is managed by Cambridge City Council, received the prestigious Green Flag Award last week.

This international award, run by the environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy, is now in its third decade, and indicates that parks or open spaces boast the highest possible environmental standards, are well maintained and have excellent facilities for visitors.

As part of the application process for the award, the council created a 10 year management plan for the park. This includes a series of actions and improvements which will need to be carried out to ensure the award is retained.

The park was then visited and assessed by independently appointed landscape managers working alongside Keep Britain Tidy to ensure it met the criteria for the award.

Christ’s Pieces is a Victorian park with tree-lined avenues, formal seasonal bedding displays and wildflower areas. Among the other features of the park are:

• Four free-to-use tennis courts
• Play area for under-6s
• Refreshment kiosk
• Bowling green
• Public toilets with disabled facilities
• A rose garden established in 1999 in memory of Princess Diana

Cllr Anna Smith, Executive Councillor for Streets and Open Spaces, said: “The Green Flag Award is a prestigious international benchmark of quality for a park or green space – the equivalent of the Blue Flag for beaches. I’m delighted to say that Christ’s Pieces is a 2018 award winner, and the first Green Flag park in Cambridge.

“The award cannot be given without community involvement and the Christ’s Pieces Residents’ Association in particular have played a vital role alongside council officers in gaining this award.

“As with so many residents’ associations and friends’ groups across the city, they are a constant source of support, suggestions and advice, and act as highly valued critical friends to the council in the care of our beautiful open spaces.”

Margaret Tait of Christ’s Pieces Residents’ Association said: “Christ’s Pieces Residents’ Association congratulate the city council on gaining the Green Flag award for Christ’s Pieces. It is a beautifully designed, well maintained park in the city centre where Cambridge people and visitors can relax at any time of day.”

The council hopes to build on the award by earning further flags for its parks and open spaces. The green flag itself which has been awarded to Christ’s Pieces will soon be displayed in a prominent position in the park.