Oakfield Flower Gardens is officially one of the best parks in the country.
Yesterday, it was announced as being one of Keep Wales Tidy’s Green Flag Award winners – the international mark of a quality park or green space.
The organisations unveiled 223 community-managed green spaces across the country that have met the high standards needed to receive the Green Flag Community Award.
There are several other sites in Torfaen, but this is the first time Oakfield Flower Gardens has applied and reached the standard.
Community garden
The council-owned park was created in 1950 as part of the development of the new town. It is now a beautiful green space with an impressive range of tree species, accessible paths, a play area and a community garden set in the heart of the Llantarnam community.
Llantarnam Residents Conservation Society (LLARCS), a local volunteer group, has worked tirelessly to create and maintain the community garden and other areas of the gardens.
The volunteers have worked with the community and local businesses to create a large, pollinator-friendly flower planter and a bug hotel. Two vegetable planters, three fruit planters, an edible herb planter and an orchard have also been created, designed to feed and nourish the community.
Birdboxes
Birdboxes have also been installed within the gardens thanks to collaborations between conservation volunteers and LLARCS.
Bethan Oliver, Vice-Chair of LLARCS ,said: “Achieving the Community Green Flag award is wonderful recognition of all the hard work LLARCS volunteers, members of the community, local businesses and collaborators have put into looking after this beautiful space.
“We are so proud of all that our volunteer group has achieved throughout the years including the growth of the community garden. With our vision being to create cleaner, greener spaces and encouraging engagement with nature within the community, we feel this award really celebrates Oakfield Flower Gardens and all it has to offer our community.”
Now in its third decade, Green Flag recognises well-managed parks and green spaces in 20 countries around the world.
‘Hundreds of volunteers’
Lucy Prisk, Green Flag Coordinator for Keep Wales Tidy said: “We’re thrilled to see a new record number of 223 community-managed green spaces in Wales have achieved Green Flag status, which is testament to the dedication and hard work of hundreds of volunteers.
“These sites, which play a vital role in the physical and mental well-being of communities across Wales, are now recognised as among the best in the world, having met the high standards required to achieved Green Flag Community status. Congratulations!”