A GREEN space in Woodley has been recognised for being one of the country's best parks. 

Woodley Town Council is celebrating Woodford Park receiveing a Green Flag Award as one of 2,208 UK winners.

The park was awarded the coveted Green Flag Award for the fifth year running, officially recognised as one of the country’s best parks and the only park in the Wokingham Borough area to have this status. 

Cllr Keith Baker, Woodley Town Council Leader, said: “After two years that have seen our parks and green spaces play a vital role for people through lockdowns as a place to relax, exercise and meet friends and family safely, the news that Woodford Park has achieved and maintained its Green Flag Award is testament to the hard work and dedication of the team that make the green space – and all the Woodley Town Council managed parks – such a great space that everyone can enjoy.

“We are all very proud of the park and its most recent addition of the new play area, which is continually filled with the laughter and happiness of children. It really is a destination park with so many areas to enjoy." 

Woodford Park has many areas for residents to enjoy, including the lake and boardwalk, the grass areas, two play areas, an outdoor paddling pool, the Garden of Remembrance, the Rotary Garden, the Memorial Ground and beautiful planting by The Friends of Woodford Park. 

Commenting on the news that Woodford Park has met and maintained the Green Flag Award standard, Keep Britain Tidy’s Accreditation Manager, Paul Todd said: “I would like to congratulate everyone involved in making Woodford Park worthy of a Green Flag Award.

“Woodford Park is a vital green space for the community in Woodley. This award is testament to all the hard work of staff and volunteers, who do so much to ensure that it maintains the high standards demanded by the Green Flag Award.” 

“The award is the international quality mark for parks and green spaces and I am so proud of the team for their hard work and dedication to ensure that Woodford Park has kept this status for five years running. Each of them always goes above and beyond and I’d like to thank them and also thank The Friends of Woodford Park for the wonderful work they also do in the park,” said Kevin Murray, Woodley Town Council Deputy Clerk.