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Accolade: Park staff with the award

A corner of Oxford has been honoured in a nationwide scheme to recognise Britain's best parks and green spaces.

Florence Park was given a Green Flag Award for the first time after judges assessed its looks, tidiness and place within the local community.

Wallingford Castle Meadows, in south Oxfordshire, picked up the same accolade, joining a list of just 75 sites in the South East to have the award.

Any green space freely accessible to the public is eligible for the scheme, which is managed by the Civic Trust charity, but each site must apply for the renewal of its Green Flag status every year. In Oxford, Cutteslowe, Sunnymead and Hinksey parks also have Green Flags.

Florence Park was opened in 1934 after the land was presented to the city by Councillor FE Moss in memory of his sister Florence.

Phil Cross, chairman of Florence Park Community Association, said: "It's very good to get this award. There aren't too many open spaces about, especially in the city, and this one is very well maintained."

Last year, Florence Park almost lost its flowerbeds for good when it was proposed that the funds should be used instead for someone to lock the gates.

In October, city councillor Bryan Keen vowed to "move heaven and earth" to keep the floral displays and then extra money was found.

John Todd, chairman of the Friends of Florence Park, said: "I'm delighted. The park is one of Oxford's hidden gems."

Park supervising officer Doug Loveridge said: "We're really proud to have been awarded Green Flag status. It's great that the ongoing hard work of staff is being recognised and it is benefiting the local community."

4:11pm Thursday 24th July 2008

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