Two Masterton District Council [MDC] outdoor spaces are among 29 New Zealand winners of an international quality award.
Queen Elizabeth Park and Henley Lake have maintained their international Green Flag status in the latest round of an awards programme that has been running for 26 years.
It is the fifth year running Queen Elizabeth Park has received the accolade, and the third year for Henley Lake.
A mystery shopper-style assessor was used as part of the assessment process, with judging criteria that included a combination of biodiversity, landscape, heritage, environment management and involvement of the community.
MDC community facilities and activities manager Corin Haines said the awards are a testament to the planning and hard work of council staff, volunteers, and contractor Green by Nature.
“We often call Queen Elizabeth Park the ‘jewel in our crown’, and it is continuing to shine brightly for visitors,” he said.
“Henley Lake is also a fantastic space for a range of visitors from dog walkers to disc golf fans.”
Henley Trust chair Tom Ward is pleased the lake has won.
“The trust is committed to helping make Henley Lake a place for the whole community to enjoy and it’s great to see that recognised once again,” he said.
Mayor Gary Caffell said he is proud of the council’s focus on open spaces.
“I never get tired of walking through our green spaces and Queen Elizabeth Park and Henley Lake are two of the best in the country,” he said.
“I want to acknowledge the work that goes into making them places people want to be.”
The Green Flag Award is an internationally recognised programme that rewards well-managed parks and open spaces with high-quality recreational experiences for communities.
Other New Zealand winners include Auckland Domain, Waitākere Ranges Regional Park, and Te Mata Park in Napier.
-NZLDR
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