Five Fife parks have been awarded prestigious Green Flag status by a Scottish environmental charity.
Pittencrief and Dunnikeir country parks have gained the accolade, along with Ravenscraig, Beveridge and Letham Glen parks. It is awarded by Keep Scotland Beautiful, in recognition of clean and welcoming green spaces.
Parks are assessed by volunteer judges who usually have a background in parks management, conservation or ecology. They judge against eight criteria testing whether the park or green space is: welcoming; healthy, safe and secure; clean and well-maintained; sustainable; manages conservation and heritage; has community involvement; markets itself, and has good management.
Derek Robertson, Chief Executive of Keep Scotland Beautiful, said:
"We know that local environments define communities. Research shows that poorly maintained spaces have a direct correlation with lower health outcomes for residents. The Green Flag Award helps ensure parks and open spaces are well managed so that people have access to good quality open space and are able to build thriving communities around them.
"With more parks flying the Green Flag Award than ever before, this is true recognition of everyone’s hard work in helping to make Scotland greener and cleaner. We are very proud of all our award winners and those who work all year round, rain or shine, to make Scottish parks beautiful."
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