Bedford Borough Council has announced that Addison Howard Park, Bedford Park, Harrold-Odell Country Park and Priory Country Park have all successfully retained their Green Flag Awards for 2025, reaffirming their status as some of the best-managed green spaces in the country.
The Green Flag Award recognises well-managed parks and green spaces, through setting an international benchmark standard for park management. Benchmarking covers how welcoming, safe and clean a park is, along with the facilities provided, environmental management, community involvement, and supporting biodiversity.
Bedford Borough’s parks continue to be safe, welcoming, and beautifully maintained spaces for residents and visitors to enjoy. The Council’s ongoing investment, dedication to high standards and committed park staff and volunteers ensure these spaces remain vibrant hubs for recreation, wildlife, and community activities.
Councillor Sarah Gallagher, Portfolio Holder for Customer Experience, Leisure and Culture, said, “We are incredibly proud that Bedford’s parks have once again met the exacting standards of the Green Flag Award. These green spaces are vital to the wellbeing of our community, offering places to relax, play, and connect with nature. Our park staff and volunteers work tirelessly to maintain and improve these parks, and this recognition is a testament to their passion and professionalism."
Further to this, the amazing volunteers from The Friends of Hill Rise Nature Reserve, who manage Hill Rise Nature Reserve, and The Friends of Putnoe Wood and Mowsbury Hillfort, who manage Putnoe Woods and Mowsbury Hillfort, have both retained their Green Flag Community Awards.
The Council has an army of volunteers who help to maintain our parks and open spaces. To learn more about what they do and how you can get involved, please visit - www.bedford.gov.uk/ParkVolunteerGroups – we would love to hear from you!
For a full list of Bedford’s Green Flag Award-winning parks and details on visiting, please see www.bedford.gov.uk/Parks