High-five as Laois parks win Green Flags

FIVE beautiful community parks in Laois have been awarded Green Flags for their well-managed sustainable spaces.

There was a high-five for the county at a national ceremony on Wednesday 12 November when parks in Portlaoise, Abbeyleix and Portarlington were selected for the awards.

Father Breen Park in Abbeyleix was awarded the Community Green Flag for the second year running, while Green Flags were presented to People’s Park in Portarlington and Páirc an Phobail, the Memorial Park and Fitzmaurice Place in Portlaoise.

Laois Co Council director of services Simon Walton commented: “We are delighted to see green spaces in Laois receiving the recognition they deserve. This achievement reflects the incredible dedication of local communities in caring for and enhancing their surroundings.

“We are proud to champion these initiatives and remain committed to ensuring that every resident in Laois can enjoy access to vibrant, welcoming green spaces.” 

Delighted with the county’s only Community Green Flag, administrators of the Abbeyleix Facebook page congratulated the committee and clubs of Fr Breen Park on the award, which recognises ‘the treasure this space is to the town and the community’.

The post added: ‘The judge was very impressed with the park overall and stated it was the cleanest park he visited. It was described in the report as spotless and the ‘no pesticide’ use was noted positively.

‘Another high commendation was given to the green areas, where a great number of native wildflowers are encouraged to flourish, increasing biodiversity in the community.

‘Fr Breen Park received this award for the first time last year and it is the culmination of a number of years’ work. It is in keeping with the Tidy Towns programme. The management of these green areas is a credit to the clubs and the creche and all who manage and enjoy the park.’ 

The Abbeyleix group also acknowledged the support of Laois Co Council’s sports and leisure officer Ann Marie Maher and parks and landscape officer Michael Buckley.

The Green Flag award scheme, delivered by An Taisce, aims to encourage the provision of good quality public parks and green spaces that are managed in environmentally sustainable ways.

The international Green Flag was awarded to 128 parks, gardens, greenways and wildlife sanctuaries around the country at the ceremony held at Maynooth University Campus, Kildare, an increase of eight awards since last year.