The Albert Reynolds Peace Park wins the prestigious Green Flag Award
PRESS RELEASE
The Albert Reynolds Peace Park wins the prestigious Green Flag Award
Longford County Council is pleased to announce that The Albert Reynolds Peace Park (the Mall) has received the Green Flag Award which is an international parks award recognising the very best green spaces around the world.
The scheme is managed by An Taisce in Ireland. This award is the 5th year in the running and this is the 4th time the Mall has been awarded the Green Flag.
Parks are judged on a number of criteria including a management plan, health and safety, environmental sustainability, community use of the park, conservation, cleanliness, ground maintenance, horticulture and general presentation. The Green Flag puts a special emphasis on increasing biodiversity, by not using herbicides, allowing parts of the park to grow wild and planting pollinator friendly plants.
Speaking about the Award Cathaoirleach of Longford County Council, Councillor Paul Ross said “Parks and open spaces are particularly important in the context of COVID-19, and this excellent facility provides a safe space for people of Longford Town and surrounding areas and its value can not be over estimated.
I would like to thank Longford Town Suburbs Ltd and its Chairperson Dennis Hughes who manage the Mall in partnership with Longford County Council. The Mall was judged alongside the top parks in the country. Thanks to Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection, the Community Employment Supervisor Joe Duffy and all the participants whose hard was the driving factor behind achieving this award. This year all the outdoor gym equipment has been replaced around the park. The new pedestrian bridge has increased the number of people availing of the Mall”
Paddy Mahon, Chief Executive of Longford County Council, said ‘’Longford County Council is very proud to receive the Green Frag Award and I would like to extend congratulations to all involved that maintain and manage this beautiful amenity in Longford town as Parks and Green spaces are extremely important to the health and the emotional wellbeing of our communities. This vital amenity provides us with a place to relax and enjoy the nature, and mind our wellbeing especially in these difficult times where people can safely enjoy the great outdoors. We are very fortunate to have this beautiful place on our doorstep.’’
As quoted by the judges “The Mall (Albert Reynolds Peace Park) is a hidden gem in Longford Town. The park is extremely well maintained by the CE scheme and its supervisor. Longford County Council is very lucky to have such dedicated people working for the community. The park is very well utilised and has many well organised Council supported events run during the year”.
ENDS
NOTES TO EDITORS:
The Green Flag Award scheme is also operating across Australia, Belgium, Finland, Germany, Mexico, The Netherlands, New Zealand, Portugal, Republic of Ireland, Spain, Sweden, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, and the United States of America.
The full list of the 2020 Green Flag Award winning parks within the Republic of Ireland: https://www.antaisce.org/articles/announcement-2020-green-flag-awards
