Green Flag Awards

Southampton recognises the Green Flag Park management criteria as the best indicator of optimal practice in park and open space management. The park in question is not just being judged for how it looks on judging day. It is also scored on how it is managed to meet the needs of the local community, all year round. The criteria are:

Section one: a welcome place

1. Is the park welcoming when you approach and enter it?
2. Good safe access, free from obstructions and appropriate paths
3. It has clear and relevant signage
4. It is fully accessible for all abilities

Section two: healthy, safe and secure

1. Appropriate provision of quality facilities and activities
2. Safe equipment and facilities
3. Personal safety: does it feel safe?
4. Control of dogs and dog fouling

Section three: well maintained and clean

1. Litter and waste management
2. Horticultural maintenance: all plant life apart from trees
3. Arboricultural maintenance: tree care
4. Building and infrastructure maintenance
5. Equipment maintenance

Section four: environmental management

1. Managing environmental impact both locally and globally
2. Waste minimisation: reduction of waste produced
3. Chemical use: the less, the better
4. Peat use: the less, the better
5. Climate change adaptation strategies

Section five: biodiversity, landscape and heritage

1. Management of natural features, wild fauna and flora
2. Conservation of landscape features of historic value
3. Conservation of buildings and structures of historic value

Section six: community involvement

1. Community involvement in management and development
2. Appropriate provision for the community

Section seven: marketing and communication

1. Marketing and promotion
2. Appropriate information channels
3. Appropriate educational and interpretational material

Section eight: management

1. Implementation of the management plan

No park gets 10 out of 10 for all criteria, but a park must reach a threshold score to pass.

Since our first Green Flag Award in 2006, we have had the aim to bring all of its green spaces up to Green Flag standards. Although we are realistic about how long this will take, given the financial limitations we have to work within. Also, once a park has been awarded the Green Flag, it is not in perpetuity and has to be applied for and re-judged each year. This is either by full judging or 'mystery shopped'.

Parks which currently hold the Green Flag (2024) are:

• Mansel Park
• Millers Pond
• Cedar Lodge
• Mayfield Park
• Peartree Green
• Town Quay Park
• St James' Park
• Central Parks
• Portswood Rec
• Riverside Park
• Freemantle Lake Park