That’s four altogether.

Cork City Council has received two new Green Flags in this year’s Green Flag Awards.

Both Fitzgerald’s Park and Shalom Park retained their two green flags for 2022/2023 and two new green flags were awarded for the Regional Park Ballincollig and Douglas Community Park.

The Awards, announced today by An Taisce Environmental Education, acknowledge Ireland’s best public parks and gardens and aim to encourage the provision of good quality public parks that are managed in an environmentally sustainable way.

“We are thrilled to receive so many Green Flags and I am particularly delighted to see that two parks in the recently extended city boundary have achieved such distinction as well, the Regional Park Ballincollig and the Douglas Community Park (in partnership between Douglas Community Association, Cork City Council and Douglas Tidy Towns).”

“Parks, greenways, recreation facilities, and green spaces have never been more needed for both physical and mental well-being by residents and visitors and particularly during the Covid-19 global pandemic. Parks provide places for people to relax and enjoy nature within the busy and bustling City environment.”

All Cork City Parks showcase Cork City Council’s policy of promoting biodiversity by planting pollinator-friendly plants to replace traditional seasonal bedding, changing grass mowing regimes to increase native wildflowers, eliminating of pesticides for general maintenance, adapting to climate change, and involving local communities in biodiversity initiatives.