Eleven parks in Dublin City have received the Green Flag Award - "the longest serving and most widely respected Parks and Green space accreditation program in the world."
Bushy Park, Poppintree Park, Blessington Street Park, St Anne's Park, Markievicz Park, Albert College Park, Herbert Park, Father Collins Park, Saint Audoen's Park, Weaver Park, Saint Patrick's Park all entered the scheme and each came away with the flag.
Parks are judged against 27 criteria "within 8 Standards". All of these must be passed to allow for the flag to be awarded.
Since 2015, all of the parks Dublin City Council has entered for the flag have been successful.
Leslie Moore, Head of Parks, Biodiversity and Landscape Services said that visits to the parks has more than doubled since Covid-19.
He said: “The 11 Green Flag Awards demonstrates the commitment of the City Council to the stewardship of parks and biodiversity in the city, the care and diligence of parks staff to maintain horticultural standards and the passion of local communities whose engagement is key to a successful park.
“Never before has the importance of parks and being close to nature been so important for the health and well-being of communities.
"Neighbourhood and local parks have been the go-to place to exercise and meet with neighbours albeit at a social distance.
"Visits to parks have more than doubled which has created some issues with increased litter, however during Covid people have engaged with their local environment and more environmental volunteer groups have established.”
A Dublin City Council spokesperson said they "look forward confidently to entering more parks in 2022."
Get the latest headlines straight to your inbox by signing up for free email alerts.
