[C]hance’s Park in Carlisle has been recognised by the Green Flag Award Scheme as one of the very best in the world.
The park is among a record-breaking 1,883 UK parks and green spaces that has received a prestigious Green Flag Award – the mark of a quality park or green space.
This international award, now into its third decade, is a sign to the public that the space boasts the highest possible environmental standards, is beautifully maintained and has excellent visitor facilities.
Cllr Chris Southward, Portfolio holder for Environment and Transport, said: “We are absolutely delighted to receive a Green Flag Award for the eighth year in a row. We know how much quality green spaces matter to residents and visitors, and this award celebrates the dedication that goes into maintaining Chance’s Park to such a high standard. The Friends of Chance’s Park deserve a lot of praise and we’d like to thank them for their continued support.”
International Green Flag Award scheme manager Paul Todd said: “We are delighted to be celebrating another record-breaking year for the Green Flag Award scheme, with more Green Flags awarded this year than last year.”
“Each flag honours the thousands of staff and volunteers who work tirelessly to maintain the high standards demanded by the Green Flag Award. We are proud to have so many wonderful green spaces in the UK for people to enjoy, and hope that next year, we award even more flags.”
The main entrance to Chance’s Park and the community centre is off the Wigton Road (A595). There is pedestrian access off Dunmallet Rigg, Wigton Road, Dunmail Drive, Park Road and Langrigg Road.
The areas of interest are:
- Georgian Garden – a restored and modernised interpretation of the original formal gardens which would have surrounded the Manor
- Manor Grounds – an area of lawns and shrub beds with many historic trees, containing the original restored Ha-ha (boundary ditch/wall)
- Hay Meadow – a long strip of grasses and some wild flowers typically found in traditional hay meadows in North Cumbria. This area is mown annually and a hay crop removed by local contractors.
- Wider Park – Chance’s Park is characterised by rolling, open park land, complete with both mature trees and more recent plantings. The park is served by a network of high quality paths, from which the historic medieval ridge and furrow ploughing systems can be seen.
Visitors to Chance’s Park are offered a variety of recreational features:
- Football pitches – located within the main areas of the park
- Mini Multi-Use Games Area – all weather playing surface suitable for a range of games
- Play Area – large and well equipped, with equipment for all ages. The City Council recently carried out £8,500 worth of play improvements adding to the previous investment of £12,000 for new play equipment in 2016/17.
- Nature Trail – a way marked route around the park with accompanying leaflets (available from the Community Centre).
- An area of wild flowers has recently been sown containing Poppies and Cornflowers to commemorate 100 years since the end of the 1st World War.
