Six Green Flag Awards recognise South Derbyshire’s outstanding parks and green spaces
South Derbyshire District Council is celebrating after six of its parks and green spaces have once again been recognised among the very best in the country with prestigious Green Flag Awards.
The internationally recognised Green Flag Award is the benchmark for well-managed parks and green spaces, recognising the high standards of maintenance, safety, biodiversity, community involvement and visitor experience.
The six award-winning sites are:
Eureka Park
Maurice Lea Memorial Park
Newhall Park
Cadley Park
Swadlincote Woodlands
Church Gresley Cemetery
The awards are a testament to the dedication and hard work of the Council's Grounds Maintenance teams, Parks and Green
Spaces officers, volunteers and community groups, as well as the continued support of elected members, who work together throughout the year to ensure these valued spaces remain welcoming, safe and enjoyable for residents and visitors.
Judges were particularly impressed by the recent improvements at Eureka Park, commenting:
"The new memorial garden stood out wonderfully, the carving and mosaic are a great tribute to the history of the town. Small details like the railway edgings on the carving base along with the heritage colours really make a difference and show the thought and effort gone into these."
Maurice Lea Memorial Park also received glowing praise, with judges stating:
"Overall, we would go out of our way to visit Maurice Lea Memorial Park again. It is an exceptional example of a well-managed and much-loved community green space and is fully deserving of recognition against the Green Flag
standard."
Councillor Stephen Taylor, said:
“This is a fantastic achievement and a proud moment for South Derbyshire. To have six of our parks and green spaces recognised with Green Flag Awards once again reflects the exceptional care, commitment and hard work that goes into maintaining them throughout the year.
Our parks and green spaces play such an important role in the lives of our residents, providing welcoming places to relax, exercise, connect with nature and spend time with family and friends. I would like to thank our dedicated Grounds Maintenance teams, Parks and Green Spaces officers, volunteers, community groups and everyone else who has contributed to this success."
Paul Todd MBE, Green Flag Award Manager at Keep Britain Tidy, said:
"Parks are essential public spaces that support our wellbeing, our communities and our economy. Yet for
millions of people, particularly in the most deprived areas, local parks simply don't feel safe or welcoming.
"With public services under pressure, investing in parks is not a luxury, it's a practical, preventative solution and one of the most visible ways to improve people's quality of life.
"South Derbyshire District Council has shown what can be achieved when parks are properly supported and managed. As we celebrate 30 years of the Green Flag Award, we want every community to have access to green spaces that are safe, welcoming and maintained to a high standard.
"Congratulations to everyone involved."
This year marks the 30th anniversary of the Green Flag Award scheme, which celebrates the very best parks and green spaces across the UK and beyond. A record-breaking 2,391 sites have achieved Green Flag Award status in 2026, highlighting the importance of high-quality green spaces for communities.
The Green Flag Award scheme, managed by environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy under contract from the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government, recognises and rewards well-managed parks and green spaces, setting the benchmark standard for the management of green spaces across the United Kingdom and around the world.
