King Edward Park retains Green Flag honour

South Taranaki’s Premier Park, King Edward Park, has once again received the internationally recognised Green Flag Award.

South Taranaki District Council’s Horticultural Team Leader Douglas Kursteiner says King Edward Park’s new Green Flag was unfurled last week and can be seen atop the Observatory.

The Green Flag Award recognises and rewards parks and green spaces that set a standard for the management of recreational outdoor spaces around the world.

“A significant factor in the judging criteria is involvement with the community and a connection with residents,” says Kursteiner. “We have the positive contribution to both the maintenance and development of the Park by volunteer students from Te Paepae O Aotea and the community organisation, Friends of Hawera’s Parks, to thank for this. These ongoing relationships are vital to creating this to be a true community space.”

“I also have to thank my team, the Council Park’s team, for putting their hard work into this Park every day.”

Kursteiner says judges also commended the general appearance and quality of maintenance at the Park as well as praising the improvements of new edgings, pathways and informative labels in the Heritage Rose section.

King Edward Park first earned the award in 2018 and has been continuously upkept to this high standard to maintain this sought-after acknowledgement.

There are 26 Parks and reserves across New Zealand and more than 2,500 parks and green spaces worldwide to have received the accolade this year. New flags are flying in the UK, Republic of Ireland, Germany, The Netherlands, Finland, America, United Arab Emirates and Australia.