The success of Northern Ireland’s green spaces was celebrated at the annual Green Flag Awards, with nine sites managed by Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council among those awarded a Green Flag.

Green flags were awarded to Bells Lane Allotments Incorporating Bells Lane Park & Lisburn BMX track, Billy Neil MBE Country Park, Glenmore Parkland Trail, Hydebank Playing Fields, Moat Park, Moira Demesne, Wallace Park, Sir Milne Barbour Memorial Park, and Castle Gardens.

The flags are awarded to recognise excellence in the management of public parks and green spaces.

Site managers were also recognised for the pivotal work they do in maintaining public spaces critical to our local communities.

Mayor of Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council, Councillor Brian Higginson accepted the council’s awards from Minister Andrew Muir, DAERA. Pic credit: Live Here Love Here

placeholder image — Mayor of Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council, Councillor Brian Higginson accepted the council’s awards from Minister Andrew Muir, DAERA. Pic credit: Live Here Love Here

Lisburn-based The Little Green Allotments collected one of the Green Flag NI Pollinator Awards, alongside a Community Green Flag.

Live Here Love Here manages the Green Flag Award programme in Northern Ireland, which is sponsored by Power NI, part of Energia Group, and supported by the Department for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs.

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Minister for the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, Andrew Muir, said: “I am proud to support the Green Flags programme, and it is truly encouraging to see so many people who care deeply about their communities and green spaces.

Eric Randall, Chief Executive, Live Here Love Here; Laura Morgan, Stormont Estate; Andrew McKenzie, Stormont Estate; Grainne Phillips, the Little Green Allotments; Hannah Fullerton, Buglife. Pic credit: Live Here Love Here

"Our green spaces benefit the whole community, and it is important that everyone feels welcome, safe and encouraged to avail of the wonderful facilities in our parks which provide us with healthy spaces to live and relax.

"The prestigious green flag celebrates a standard of excellence, and I look forward to seeing the green flags flying high from our parks and green spaces.”