Four local parks in Southampton have been nominated for the Green Flag Award for 2024/2025, taking place this July. 

This year, Southampton's contenders include: Miller’s Pond, Weston Shore, Mansel Park and Cedar Lodge Park.

Miller’s Pond, appointed a Local Nature Reserve in May 2012, lies to the River Itchen's east. The park offers a blend of woodland and open grassland areas and houses one of the city’s handful of large ponds.

The Community Award-winning Weston Shore features direct access to the waterfront and vistas of the Solent, attracting citywide visitors, while Mansel Park, a former Community Award winner, is a green area of 10.6 hectares on the city's west side.

Cedar Lodge Park provides a charming locale for residents in the western part of the city with its mature tree collection, play equipment and picnic areas.

In January, eight Green Flag group award winners in the area for 2023/2024 were assessed by judges, and will retain their status for the next two years.

Parks are judged based on seven criteria, including; A Welcoming Place, Healthy, Safety and Secure, Well Maintained and Clean, Environmental Management, Biodiversity Landscape and Heritage, Community Involvement, and Marketing and Communications.

The Green Flag judges said: "The parks provide a range of facilities including sports pitches and courts, skateparks, play areas, multi-use games areas and event spaces. Central Parks are grade II public parks, and it’s easy to see why."

Cllr Eammon Keogh, cabinet member for Environment and Transport said: "It is a fantastic achievement that four more of our parks are up for the Green Flag Award this year, alongside the eight parks that have already received the award, which has the potential to make for a record-breaking year for Southampton’s parks.

"I am delighted to see our green spaces getting the recognition they deserve as they provide an oasis for our residents to meet, exercise and relax in.

"The Green Flag Awards are a huge testament to the work of our staff and volunteers who look after our parks every day and make them the vital, thriving green spaces that residents enjoy."