The results of the annual Global Peoples’ Choice Vote were revealed today!

Santry Community Garden, Fingal County Council, North Dublin.

 

Internationally, an open public vote has helped us find the World’s favourite Green Flag Award parks in the annual People’s Choice Awards - and now the results are in!

Santry Demesne Community Garden, in North Dublin, was voted to be among the World’s top ten Green Flag sites by a competition that saw more public votes cast than ever before.

This was in a year that has seen parks and green spaces serve a vital role for health and wellbeing worldwide, so we're especially proud to announce the top ten international sites!

The top voted-for parks from ten countries are:

Site Name	Managing Organisation	Country
Santry Demesne Community Garden	Fingal County Council	Ireland
Yildiz Grove	İstanbul Büyükşehir Belediyesi	Turkey
Provinciaal Groendomein Rivierenhof	Provincie Antwerpen	Belgium
Jardim do Monte Latito	Câmara Municipal de Guimarães	Portugal
Campus de la Universidad de Navarra	Universidad de Navarra	Spain
Máximapark	Gemeente Utrecht als partner in de Parkorganisatie Máximapark	Netherlands
TECT All Terrain Park	Western Bay of Plenty District Council/Tauranga City Council	New Zealand
Roma Street Parklands	Brisbane City Parklands	Australia
The Presidio of San Francisco	The Presidio Trust	USA
Katariinan Meripuisto	City of Kotka	Finland

Santry Demesne Community Garden, in North Dublin, is located within the old walled garden of Santry Demesne Park. The wider park of Santry Demesne is itself a Green Flag Award Site since 2017! Santry Community Garden successfully applied for the Green Flag Community Award for the first time in 2021. Operated by volunteers it is supported by Fingal County Council - which celebrated a total of 8 Green Flag Award wins in 2021. The Community Awards have been operating as part of the Green Flag Award Scheme within Ireland since 2018, with the support of the Department of Rural and Community Development.

The People's Choice is voted on every year by members of the public. Green Flag Parks and Gardens rally votes via social media to encourage people to show their love for their local green spaces.

 Robert Moss, Republic of Ireland Green Flag Award Manager said:

 "Santry Community Garden is now well established, having been in operation for over 10 years. It serves many people within the local community who live within apartment complex developments surrounding the wider park. It is partly for this reason that it has attracted so many votes … because it is such an important amenity for these residents. Also of significance is the fact that the 2021 season is now the fourth year in a row for which Ireland has seen one of its parks and gardens voted to be among the best in the World, as part of this public vote."

 

Santry Community Garden, Fingal County Council, North Dublin.

 

Only awarded for exceeding tough environmental standards in green space management, and excellence of visitor attractions – the Green Flag Award for Parks is the mark of a quality park or green space and is recognised throughout the world. An Taisce Environmental Education have been operating this scheme within the Republic of Ireland since 2016.

The 2021 awards were available to public town parks, country parks, nature parks, forest parks, historic parks, national parks, gardens, greenways, cemeteries, and public green spaces from across the whole country.

The Green Flag Award now operates in 16 countries around the world including: Australia, Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Mexico, New Zealand, Portugal, Republic of Ireland, Spain, Sweden, The Netherlands, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, and the United States of America, - celebrating over 2,300 Award winning parks and green spaces annually.

The Green Flag Awards are judged every year over the summer by a peer jury of green space experts, who volunteer their time to visit applicant sites and assess them against 27 criteria, including horticultural standards, cleanliness, sustainability, and community involvement. In January 2022 the public had their chance to vote for their favourite Green Flag site wherever it may be in the World.

Carl McClean, International Development Manager for the Green Flag Award said:

 "This isn't the first time this year that people have been vocal about their love for parks. The effects of the pandemic have meant that more and more communities are valuing the outdoor spaces that they have local access to, and I hope that this voice is also heard loud and clear by political leaders."

If your park is interested in participating in the Green Flag Award Scheme, or you want to find out further information about the Green Flag Award Scheme or other programmes run by An Taisce Environmental Education then please e-mail us at [email protected] or telephone:  087 4623302.

ENDS

 

Note to Editors

YouTube Video of the Top Ten Winners: https://youtu.be/kqZJAbscUUs

YouTube Video of the International Green Flag Award Virtual Ceremony here: https://youtu.be/XfeDDai0qoY

The Global Peoples’ Choice Vote does not include UK voted sites. Click here to view the UK specific results: https://www.greenflagaward.org/news/green-flag-award-virtual-awards-2021/

Overview

The green Flag Award scheme aims to encourage the provision of good quality public parks and green spaces that are managed in environmentally sustainable ways.

The Green Flag Award Scheme encourages high environmental performance and good management.

The judging criteria also considers the fact that each park/green space will offer different kinds of facilities, and will be managed and developed to varying opportunities and constraints. Innovation and the way facilities offered are tailored to the needs of the community will also be considered.

An Taisce Environmental Education have been operating this scheme within the Republic of Ireland since 2016.

The full list of the 2021 Green Flag Award winning parks within the Republic of Ireland is as follows:

 

2021 Green Flag Awards:

• Abbeyfeale Community Leisure Ltd Páirc Cois Féile/ Abbeyfeale Park
  
  
• Cavan County Council Cavan Burren Park
  
  
• Clare County Council John O’Sullivan Park
• Clare County Council Shannon Town Park
• Clare County Council Tim Smythe Park               
• Clare County Council  Vandeleur Walled Gardens
  
  
• Cork City Council Fitzgerald’s Park
• Cork City Council Shalom Park
  
  
• Donegal County Council Barrack Hill Town Park
  
  
• Dublin City Council Albert College Park
• Dublin City Council Blessington Street Park
• Dublin City Council Bushy Park
• Dublin City Council Father Collins Park
• Dublin City Council Herbert Park
• Dublin City Council Markievicz Park
• Dublin City Council Poppintree Park
• Dublin City Council Saint Anne's Park
• Dublin City Council Saint Audoen's Park
• Dublin City Council Saint Patrick's Park
• Dublin City Council Weaver Park
  
  
• Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council Blackrock Park       
• Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council Cabinteely Park
• Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council Deansgrange

  Cemetery        

• Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council Deerpark 
• Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council Marlay Park                     
• Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council People’s Park         
• Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council Shanganagh

  Park                

• Fingal County Council Ardgillan Demesne                 
• Fingal County Council Malahide Demesne                
• Fingal County Council Millennium Park    
• Fingal County Council Newbridge House and Farm     
• Fingal County Council Santry Demesne                
• Fingal County Council Saint Catherine’s Park      
  
  
• Galway City Council             Children’s Millennium Park
• Galway City Council             Quinncentennial Park
  
  
• Galway County Council The Palace Grounds
  
  
• Kerry County Council             Childers Park & Woodlands
• Kerry County Council             Tralee Bay Wetlands
• Kerry County Council             Tralee Town Park
  
  
• Kildare County Council          Liffey Linear Park Newbridge                    
  
  
• Laois County Council             Páirc an Phobail Portlaoise
• Laois County Council             Peoples Park Portarlington                 
  
  
• Limerick Council                   The Peoples Park Limerick
• Limerick Council                   Lough Gur Lakeshore Park and Visitor Centre
  
  
• Longford County Council             The Mall                   
  
  
• Louth County Council             Blackrock Community Park                 
• Louth County Council             Ice House Hill Park                  
• Louth County Council             Saint Helena Park              
• Louth County Council             Saint Dominic’s Park        
  
  
• Maynooth University/Saint Patrick’s College Maynooth Campus
  
  
• Mayo County Council             Jackie Clarke Collection Heritage Garden
• Mayo County Council             Turlough Park
  
  
• Midland Amenity Park Dún na Sí Amenity & Heritage Park
  
  
• National Parks and Wildlife Service Connemara National Park
• National Parks and Wildlife Service Glenveagh National Park
• National Parks and Wildlife Service Killarney House and Gardens                                               
• National Parks and Wildlife Service Ballycroy Visitor Centre – Wild Nephin National Park
  
  
• National University of Ireland Galway National University of Ireland Galway Campus
  
  
• North Mayo Heritage Centre             Enniscoe
  
  
• Offaly County Council Lloyd Town Park Tullamore                 
  
  
• Office of Public Works Altamont House and Gardens 
• Office of Public Works Battle of the Boyne Visitor Centre
• Office of Public Works Castletown Demesne         
• Office of Public Works Derrynane Historic Park     
• Office of Public Works Fota Arboretum & Gardens     
• Office of Public Works Garinish Island                      
• Office of Public Works Grangegorman Military Cemetery
• Office of Public Works Irish National War Memorial Gardens
• Office of Public Works The Iveagh Gardens
• Office of Public Works The Phoenix Park Victorian Walled Garden                  
• Office of Public Works Saint Stephen's Green
  
  
• Sport Ireland National Sports Campus             Sport Ireland Campus
  
  
• South Dublin County Council         Corkagh Park          
• South Dublin County Council         Rathfarnham Castle Park
• South Dublin County Council         Sean Walsh Park    
• South Dublin County Council         Tymon Park
• South Dublin County Council         Waterstown Park
  
  
• Waterford City and County Council Kilbarry Nature Park
• Waterford City and County Council Waterford Greenway
• Waterford Institute of Technology Waterford Institute of Technology Sports Campus
  
  
• Westmeath County Council             Mullingar Town Park
  
  
• Wexford County Council             Pearse Park - New Ross                    
• Wexford County Council             The New Ross Library Park         
  
  
• Wicklow County Council Glendalough Cemetery

 

2021 Green Heritage Site Accreditation:

• Maynooth University/Saint Patrick’s College             Maynooth Campus    
  
  
• Mayo County Council                      Turlough Park
  
  
• National Parks and Wildlife Service   Connemara National Park                                                                   
• National Parks and Wildlife Service    Killarney House and Gardens                                               

• North Mayo Heritage Centre        Enniscoe    
  
  
• Office of Public Works  Battle of the Boyne Visitor Centre
• Office of Public Works         Irish National War Memorial Gardens                                                                                    

2021 Green Flag Community Awards:

• County Carlow               Bagenalstown Town Park
  
  
• County Donegal             The River Walk Dungloe  
  
  
• Fingal (North County Dublin) The Rock Garden   
• Fingal (North County Dublin) Santry Community Garden
  
  
• County Kildare             Community Sensory Garden Maynooth
• County Kildare             Zero Waste Community Garden         
  
  
• County Kilkenny           Thomastown Food Garden
  
  
• County Louth Dromiskin Heritage Park
  
  
• County Mayo               Balla Woodlands and Parks
• County Mayo               Ballina Karen Community Garden         
• County Mayo               Ballyhaunis Community Garden         
• County Mayo               Kilmaine Community Garden         
  
  
• County Meath               Julianstown Community Garden
  
  
• County Galway             Ballyglunin Railway Restoration Project
• County Galway             Headford Community Garden         
• County Galway             Headford Community Orchard       
  
  
• County Roscommon Ballaghaderreen Community Garden          
• County Roscommon Cloontuskert Community Orchard
• County Roscommon Knockvicar Organic Garden           

 

2021 Pollinator Plan Award:

OVERALL WINNER:

Kilbarry Nature Park:        Waterford City and County Council         

 

Category Winners:

• Country Park:

National Parks and Wildlife Service:                 Ballycroy Visitor Centre – Wild Nephin National Park

• Town Park:

Kilbarry Nature Park:                          Waterford City and County Council         

• Community Award:

Julianstown Community Garden:          County Meath                    

• Highly Commended/Special Award:

Country Park:

Office of Public Works:                             Castletown House & Parklands

Town Park:

Maynooth University/Saint Patrick’s College:      Maynooth Campus 

Dublin City Council:                                         Saint Anne’s Park