Nine Nottingham parks and open spaces have been awarded prestigious Green Flag quality awards in recognition of being among the best in the country.

The Arboretum, Lenton Recreation Ground, Victoria Park and Sandybanks Local Nature Reserve have retained the Green Flags they gained last year. And four more City Council sites – Woodthorpe Park, Martin’s Pond, Bulwell Bogs and Strelley Recreation Ground – have also picked up awards.

The ninth Green Flag goes to the University of Nottingham’s grounds, which have gained their sixth consecutive award this year.

Judges visited earlier this year to assess the parks against the Green Flag national standard, introduced in 1996 to recognise and reward the best green spaces in England and Wales.

Councillor Dave Trimble, Nottingham City Council Portfolio Holder for Communities, Leisure and Culture, said: "Doubling our number of Green Flag sites this year is a great achievement and a major step towards our aim of having 20 Green Flag sites by 2010.

Parks and open spaces have an important part to play in improving the health and wellbeing of people in the city, and by making the sites safer and more attractive we hope that more people will be encouraged to enjoy them."

Jackie Morris, Chair of the Friends of Bulwell Bogs, said the Green Flag was a source of pride for Bulwell and a reward for all the hard work of the group and the City Council.

And Alison Thorpe of the Friends of Strelley Recreation Ground said: "We are very proud and pleased that we have regained the Green Flag. We would like to thank all the users of the park, both young and old, for keeping the park the way it is. As a committee we have worked well with residents, Nottingham City Council Parks and Nottingham Neighbourhood Management. We would like to thank the park staff for their continuing support."

More parks improvements are planned with over £600,000 for playgrounds, paths, signage, benches and litter bins. A new team is being created to ensure that the city’s trees are well-maintained and safe, and the city also welcomes back the traditional park keeper – uniformed site-based gardeners who will promote safety and prevent vandalism.

The parks have also been boosted by a team of Rangers who encourage people to make the most of the city’s parks. The Rangers are establishing and supporting Friends’ groups, working with schools and the community on environmental education projects and events, providing a uniformed presence to help steward the parks, and encouraging people to treat parks with respect.

To find out more about Nottingham's parks and open spaces click here