Success for Hartstown as Fingal Parks achieve seven Green Flag Awards

There is great pride in Fingal with the announcement of Hartstown Park as a Green Flag Award Winning Park bringing the total number of Green Flag parks in Fingal to seven. Fingal County Council was also awarded two Green Flag Community Awards when the 2023 Green Flag Awards were announced by An Taisce Environmental Education, recognizing Ireland’s best managed Public Parks and Green Spaces.

The Green Flag Award is the international quality benchmark for the public green space sector - now operating for over 25 years. Along with newly awarded Hartstown Park the Fingal Parks retaining the award were Millennium Park, Blanchardstown, Santry Demesne, Newbridge House and Farm, Donabate, St. Catherine’s Park, Lucan, Malahide Demesne, Ardgillan Demesne, Balbriggan.   The Green Flag Award for Parks benchmarks excellence in the management of green spaces which are open free the public and was awarded to 101 parks, gardens, grounds and wildlife sanctuaries around the country.

The Green Flag Community Award brings the award to community initiatives such as Community Gardens, Community Parks, and Tidy Towns Projects. Santry Community Garden and The Rock Garden in Swords were awarded again in 2023.  By acknowledging the work done by local groups this Community Award helps empower community groups to improve their local area and environment. 

Located in Dublin 15 Hartstown Park is a hugely popular recreational facility, providing many amenities including an all-weather pitch, running, and walking trails and play areas and is sustainably managed with a chemical free approach. Fingal county council initiated a 3-year improvement works program for the park in 2020 after substantial consultation with all stakeholders. This program has delivered a considerable increase in passive and active recreation opportunities within the park, including adult exercise equipment, a callisthenics facility a children’s woodland agility trail, and a full size Multi Use Games Area.

A tree management program is in place and wildflower meadows were established to increase the biodiversity of the park, whilst the addition of seating allows users to enjoy an extended period in the park. The entrances have been upgraded, a very popular improvement with park users and a sculpture feature at the main entrance proudly announces your arrival to the park. Hartstown Park hosts a Parkrun every Saturday as well as many other events.

Speaking about the awards Mayor of Fingal Cllr Adrian Henchy said: “I am absolutely delighted that the excellent Hartstown Park has been recognised as it becomes the seventh Fingal park to achieve Green Flag status. Like the other 6 parks awarded, Hartstown Park has a huge range of facilities, and we all know the health benefits and enjoyment parks provide.  Well done to all the staff and volunteers who worked to achieve the very high standards being recognised in these Green Flag and Community awards.”

Chief Executive of Fingal AnnMarie Farrelly said: “I would like to congratulate our Hartstown Park team and all our Parks and Green Infrastructure and Operations staff as well as the Community groups whose work is being recognised in these awards. The Green Flag awards reflect the commitment and investment by Fingal County Council in providing parks which are sustainably managed and also provide high quality recreational facilities and attractions that are inclusive and accessible for all the community to enjoy.”

Kevin Halpenny, Senior Parks Superintendent at Fingal County Council said: “Hartstown Park is a vibrant and well used neighbourhood park and a great addition to our Green Flag awards which recognise excellence in the provision and management of public parks. Fingal County Council is committed to continuing to deliver quality services whilst planning, maintaining, and developing our parks and open spaces.”

To learn more about open spaces in Fingal go to: https://www.fingal.ie/trips/find-heritage-property-park-or-open-space