Hall Leys Park, Matlock, has been awarded the prestigious Green Flag Award – the national standard for Parks.

Managed by Derbyshire Dales District Council, the park’s accolade coincides with the end of a 3 year period of investment and regeneration in Matlock’s green spaces.

The award is judged on a variety of criteria including:
• Cleanliness
• Maintenance
• Community involvement
• Overall management
• Sustainability
• Marketing
• Conservation of heritage and nature
• How welcoming the park is.

Councillor Andrew Lewer, Chairman of Derbyshire Dales District Council’s Community and Environment Committee said: “This award is fantastic and timely recognition of a lot of hard work by local people and District Council’s Parks staff. The District Council is delighted that Hall Leys Park has been recognised as a wonderful leisure and recreation asset for the town.”

Catherine Rawas, a member of the Friends of Hall Leys Park group said: “The Friends of Hall Leys Park are absolutely delighted with this award which reflects Hall Leys Park as the Jewel in the crown of Matlock.”

Councillor Geoff Stevens, Chairman of the District Council, said: “This is a wonderful award for Matlock and reflects what a beautiful place Matlock is to live, work and visit. It is also recognition of the hard work that has gone into Hall Leys Park to keep it a beautiful facility for the town. Local people have told the District Council that they want clean green areas in the Dales and this award is recognition of the District Council’s response to that request. The people of Matlock can be very proud of Hall Leys Park.”

Hall Leys Park offers a host of relaxation and leisure opportunities with a skate park, tennis courts, mini golf, boats, train, café and play area. The District Council support concerts on the band stand throughout the summer and the park is also a centrepiece for many community activities including the Victorian Christmas Weekend and Matlock Live events. It is also an ideal starting off point for the 5 parks walk which takes you from Matlock to Matlock Bath through Hall Leys Park, High Tor Grounds, Pic Tor, Lovers’ Walks and Derwent Gardens.

The historic, linked parks have been recently been restored and improved through the Matlock Parks Project which was undertaken by Derbyshire Dales District Council with the assistance of a £2.67 million grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund and other donations from local organisations.