Maidenhead & Windsor

Home Park in Windsor and Kidwells Park in Maidenhead have become the first of six parks in the borough to apply for the prestigious Green Flag status.

Clewer Memorial Park in Windsor and Maidenhead's Braywick Park will be aiming to follow suit and apply for the national, independent standard for parks and green spaces in 2009 and Desborough Park and Oaken Grove, both in Maidenhead, in 2010.

Cllr Jesse Grey, lead member for lWindsor and Maidenhead eisure and culture, said: "In the borough we have an outstanding collection of 52 parks and open spaces attracting more than six million visits per year. Our parks have a customer satisfaction rating of 82% in the Audit Commission's league tables.

"While they are popular and offer a range of attractions for all ages, we are continually striving for the highest standards and the best possible experience for visitors, and the Green Flag programme helps us focus on making the right improvements.

"We have reached this point thanks to the efforts of our dedicated leisure services team, with expertise in everything from outdoor facilities to play area design and from trees to health and safety, who have worked towards this goal over the past 18 months."

Judging will take place in May or early June and results announced at the end of July. If they succeed, Home Park and Kidwells will join an exclusive band of sites across the country achieving Green Flag status.

Last year just 554 parks and open spaces nationwide earned the coveted award which is awarded for high standards in a range of areas including overall park management, safety, cleanliness and maintenance, sustainability, conservation and heritage, promotion of healthy living and community involvement.

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead