These stunning parks are enjoyed by thousands across the North East - and now they have been recognised among the best in the country.
The Green Flag Awards, which are now celebrating their 26th year, recognise parks and public spaces that have the highest possible environmental standards, are beautifully maintained, and have excellent visitor facilities. County Durham leads the way in the region, with 12 parks nominated, with Northumberland just one behind with eleven.
Five parks apiece were given the award in Newcastle and Sunderland, while North and South Tyneside have eight and four respectively. Rounding off the list were two parks in Gateshead: Saltwell and Chase.
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Regarding Northumberland, Paul Todd, Keep Britain Tidy's Accreditation Manager, said: "I would like to congratulate everyone involved in making 11 Northumberland parks worthy of Green Flag Awards. They are vital green space for the community in Northumberland.
"This award is testament to all the hard work of staff and volunteers, who do so much to ensure that they maintain the high standards demanded by the Green Flag Award."
Northumberland County Councillor John Riddle, cabinet member for local services, said: "Our local parks and green spaces are at the heart of our communities and are very much valued by all who visit them. We invest in and work very hard to continually improve our parks and we are delighted to have retained the Green Flag status in eleven parks.
Cllr Mark Wilkes, Cabinet member for neighbourhoods and climate change at Durham County Council, said: "We are thrilled that so many of our sites have been recognised for meeting the Green Flag standard. At a time when outdoor space has become more important than ever for the wellbeing of our residents, we are delighted to be able to offer such wonderful spaces to our communities."
The full list of Green Flag Awarded parks in the North East is as follows:
Northumberland
- Alexandra Park, Cramlington
- Astley Park, Seaton Delaval
- Bolam Lake Country Park
- Carlisle Park, Morpeth
- Castle Vale Park and Coronation Park, Berwick
- Doctor Pit Park, Bedlington
- Eastwoods Park, Prudhoe
- Hexham Parks
- Hirst Park, Ashington
- Plessey Woods Country Park, Blyth
- Ridley Park, Blyth
North Tyneside
- Benton Quarry Park
- Chirton & Redburn Dene Parks, North Shields
- Killingworth Lakeside Park
- Marden Quarry Park, Whitley Bay
- Northumberland Park, North Shields
- Preston Cemetery, North Shields
- Wallsend Parks
- The Rising Sun Country Park, Benton
Newcastle
- Exhibition Park, Newcastle
- Jesmond Dene
- Leazes Park, Newcastle
- Walker Park
- King's Campus, Newcastle University
Gateshead
- Chase Park, Whickham
- Saltwell Park
South Tyneside
- Monkton Dene Park, Jarrow
- North Marine Park, South Shields
- Readhead Park, South Shields
- West Park Jarrow
Sunderland
- Herrington Country Park, Penshaw
- Hetton Lyons Country Park, Hetton-le-Hole
- Mowbray Park, Sunderland
- Roker Park, Sunderland
- Elba Park, Houghton-le-Spring
County Durham
- Annfield Plain Park
- Blackhill and Consett Park
- Castleside Cemetery, Consett
- Durham Crematorium and Cemetery, Durham City
- Hardwick Park, Sedgefield
- Moorside Cemetery, Consett
- Mountsett Crematorium, Consett
- Riverside Park, Chester-le-Street
- Ropery Lane Cemetery, Chester-le-Street
- Sacriston Cemetery
- Town Recreation Ground at Bishop Auckland
- Wharton Park, Durham City
What is your favourite park in the North East? Let us know!
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