Amber Valley celebrates record nine Green Flag Awards for its parks and green spaces

Alfreton Welfare Recreation Ground joined the list for the first time.

Amber Valley Borough Council is celebrating after achieving its highest ever number of Green Flag Awards, with nine parks and green spaces now recognised among the very best in the country.

Councillor Burslem joins members of the team at Alfreton Welfare Recreation Ground, which has been awarded a Green Flag Award for the very first time, helping Amber Valley achieve a record nine Green Flag Awards in 2026. | Amber Valley Borough Council

placeholder image — Councillor Burslem joins members of the team at Alfreton Welfare Recreation Ground, which has been awarded a Green Flag Award for the very first time, helping Amber Valley achieve a record nine Green Flag Awards in 2026. | Amber Valley Borough Council

The latest awards see the borough increase its total from eight to nine, with Alfreton Welfare Recreation Ground joining the list for the first time.

The remaining eight sites have all retained their Green Flag status, reflecting the consistently high standards of parks and green spaces across Amber Valley.

Open Spaces Officer Richard Hodgkinson, Councillor Amina Burslem and Leisure and Parks Manager Tom Nelson at this year's Green Flag Awards ceremony, celebrating Amber Valley Borough Council's success. | Amber Valley Borough Council

The awards span the length of the borough, with Green Flag status now held by Alfreton Welfare Recreation Ground, Belper Cemetery, Belper Parks, Belper River Gardens, Crays Hill Recreation Ground, Crossley Park, Heanor Memorial Park, Pennytown Ponds Local Nature Reserve and Riddings Park.

The latest awards continue Amber Valley's long-standing Green Flag success. Crossley Park has proudly held the award since 2007, while several other parks and green spaces have retained Green Flag status for well over a decade.

Councillor Amina Burslem, Cabinet Member for Communities, Street Pride and Wellbeing, said: "Achieving nine Green Flag Awards is a fantastic milestone for Amber Valley and one that everyone involved should be incredibly proud of.

“Receiving one Green Flag Award is difficult. To retain eight existing awards while adding a ninth shows the dedication and commitment by our teams that goes into caring for these spaces day in, day out.

Heanor Memorial Park, the Parks team raise the flag to celebrate another successful year, with the park retaining its prestigious Green Flag Award as part of Amber Valley's record-breaking total of nine awards. | Amber Valley Borough Council

“These awards aren't just about beautifully maintained parks. They're about creating places where children can play, families can spend time together, people can enjoy nature, improve their wellbeing and take pride in the communities they live in. That's what makes this recognition so special."