Two of Calgary’s green spaces have been honoured with the prestigious Green Flag Award. Reader Rock and Confederation Park have both received this award for a second consecutive year. The Green Flag Award is one of the world’s most respected benchmarks for parks in celebrating excellence in management, maintenance and visitor experience.
Originating in 1996, the Green Flag Award has recognized over 2,000 parks and green spaces in more than 15 countries around the world, rewarding well managed parks and green spaces and setting the benchmark standard for the management of recreational outdoor spaces across the United Kingdom and around the world.
Parks are judged across a broad spectrum of criteria to ensure that everybody has access to quality green and open spaces, irrespective of where they live, and to ensure that the spaces are appropriately managed and maintained, and also that they meet the needs of the communities that they serve.
In his celebratory statement Mayor Farkas, stated that “Calgary’s parks are some of the spaces that makes our city so special. He further mentioned that “this international recognition is something all Calgarians can be proud of. For Reader Rock Garden and Confederation Park to earn the Green Flag Award for a second year in a row speaks to the incredible work of our City staff, volunteers and community partners who care for these spaces every day. As the first parks in Canada to receive this recognition, they’re also showing the world the standard Calgary sets for our amazing parks and open spaces.”
Following a rigorous evaluation process, the two Calgary parks successfully retained their Green Flag status, reinforcing Calgary’s reputation for providing exceptional public spaces. “It’s fantastic to see the parks team in Calgary being recognised with two Green Flag Awards for another consecutive year. Achieving and retaining the international certification shows they are committed to providing top quality parks and green spaces for their communities,” said Carl McClean, International Development Manager for the Green Flag Award. “Congratulations to everyone involved.”
The Reader Rock Garden Historic Park is one of the city’s most unique cultural landscapes hosting thousands of different plant species and is located in Calgary’s established community of Erlton. First created in 1913, its restoration has earned it an official designation as both a provincial and national historic resource.
Confederation Park was created in 1967 to mark the centennial of Canadian Confederation. This crescent shaped park of more than 160 hectares was once known as “the North Hill Coulee” and includes a wetland section and is home to a host of aquatic wildlife and plant species.
Receiving this award highlights The City’s ongoing commitment to creating welcoming, high-quality parks for residents and visitors alike. “Our staff, partners and volunteers are passionate about these park spaces and it shows,” said Jeffrey Martin, Zone Superintendent, Parks & Open Spaces. “This recognition demonstrates our commitment to ensuring Calgary’s parks continue to be vibrant, accessible and enjoyable places for people to gather, explore and connect.”
