Hawick’s Wilton Lodge Park has been recognised with a Green Flag award for 2021
Success for a third time
It marks the third time the park has been awarded the honour, which celebrates exceptional examples of parks and greenspaces.
The park impressed judges for its efforts to engage with the local community, in particular other community organisations, by providing access to a wide range of sporting, recreational and leisure activities available for a range of ages and abilities.
It was also commended for the central role it played throughout the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic by providing an open space for locals to enjoy.
Details of the award
The award is administered in Scotland by Keep Scotland Beautiful and acts as a benchmark for recreational outdoor space.
It helps support the opportunities provided by these parks and greenspaces to enable exercise, improve mental wellbeing and provide safe spaces for play. Almost 2k parks across the world have achieved the award.
We have secured capital funding for a replacement greenhouse within Wilton Lodge Park, further adding to the walled garden area.
Councillor Robin Tatler, Executive Member for Community Development and Localities
“The community of Hawick should be applauded for their efforts in developing the Wilton Lodge Park site into an internationally recognised green space. This award is testament to their continued commitment and drive to maintain the space and provide benefits to the local area.
“The Park is an invaluable and much-loved community asset and has provided wide-ranging benefits to local residents particularly over lockdown, providing a safe and quiet space that helps promote positive health & wellbeing.”
“The Park’s natural beauty and stunning greenspace attracts thousands of visitors every year and the improvements made through the regeneration scheme have elevated this area into something really special.”
Barry Fisher, Chief Executive of Keep Scotland Beautiful
"I would like to congratulate all of those involved in ensuring that Wilton Lodge Park in Hawick has received a Green Flag Award this year. Achieving this prestigious international benchmark recognises all the hard work that has gone into maintaining and managing our precious green open spaces.
“Parks like this provide an invaluable service to the local communities that they serve - from creating a safe space to play, to think, to work out – and they helped to address many of the health and wellbeing challenges we faced as a country during lockdown.
“Spending time in nature can be good for people’s health and wellbeing, and merely living in a greener neighbourhood can be good for health. The Green Flag Award recognises the valuable, and tangible contribution that these parks make towards the nation’s well-being.”