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The award given to Gnoll Country Park Estate recognises that the site offers strong conservation standards and historic features which are well-maintained.

It joins Margam Country Park which was awarded the same title in July 2018 and which retains it once again.

Fairyland Community Garden has also gained its first Community Award, which recognizes high-quality, well-managed local parks and green spaces.

It's the 30th Anniversary of the Green Flag awards, which are now recognised in more than 20 countries. They pinpoint and praise the very best parks and green spaces, so visitors know wherever there is a Green Flag, they’re visiting an exceptional place with the highest standards.

For the third year running, Wales holds the record for more Green Flag Community Awards than any other country delivering the Green Flag scheme in the world.
 

The 15 parks/green spaces across Neath Port Talbot with Green Flag status are:

•    Gnoll Estate Country Park: Full Green Flag award winner and now Heritage Award winner. Acclaimed for its habitat creation. Managed by Neath Port Talbot Council.

•    Margam Country Park: Winner of both the Full Green Flag and Green Heritage Site Accreditations. Managed by Neath Port Talbot Council.

•    Talbot Memorial Park (Port Talbot): Holds Full Green Flag status recognizing outstanding community involvement and environmental standards. Managed by Neath Port Talbot Council.

•    Victoria Gardens (Neath): A beautifully maintained historic town centre park holding a Full Green Flag. Managed by Neath Port Talbot Council. 

•    Swansea University Bay Campus: Full Green Flag status. Celebrated for extensive conservation work which includes bug hotels. 

•    Fairyland Community Garden: Green Flag Community Award. The Forward 4 Fairyland voluntary group and the Fairyland Allotment Society in Neath have transformed an estate by developing local growing spaces.

•    Craig Gwladus Country Park: Green Flag Community Award. The site boasts 9km of footpaths, some of which include coalmine heritage.

•    Amman Valley Trotting Club: Green Flag Community Award for exceptional environmental standards, community management, and high-quality green space.

•    Cilybebyll Community Growers: Green Flag Community Award. Run by dedicated local volunteers and the community. Situated near the village of Cilybebyll and neighbouring Pontardawe.

•    Cwmafan Community Orchard: Green Flag Community Award. A small local trust that plants and grows a variety of heritage fruit trees.

•    Sandfields Community Garden: Green Flag Community Award. A welcoming space for people to meet, grow fresh produce, and support biodiversity.

•    Friends and Neighbours Centre: Green Flag Community Award. It’s an organisation that brings people together to create a community, offering day trips and coffee mornings.

•    Vivan Park Nature Garden: Green Flag Community Award. Offers a serene environment for families and individuals.

•    Gardd y Pobl: (The People’s Garden): Green Flag Community Award. Community garden located at YMCA Neath.

•    Glantawe Riverside Park, Pontardawe: Green Flag Community Award. A tranquil and picturesque location known for its beautiful walks along the river.
 

Cabinet Member for Nature, Tourism and Wellbeing, Cllr Cen Phillips said:

“I’m thrilled to see our wonderful parks being recognised by Keep Wales Tidy. They are a key asset of the community, and there's a lot of hard work happening behind the scenes – largely by dedicated volunteers - to make awards like these possible.

“My thanks and congratulations go out to everyone who makes these green spaces so welcoming, educational, safe and enjoyable for residents and visitors alike. These awards are something to be very proud of.”

Owen Derbyshire, Keep Wales Tidy Chief Executive, said:  

"We're delighted to see so many green spaces across Neath Port Talbot recognised in this year's Green Flag Awards. From flagship parks to community gardens, it's clear the county prioritises quality across all kinds of green spaces, so they can be enjoyed by everyone.

"Congratulations to Fairyland Community Garden on its first Community Award, and to Gnoll Country Park on gaining Green Heritage Site Accreditation for the first time; with Margam Country Park retaining the status. Both parks have done excellent work protecting their unique historic features and helping visitors connect with the past.

“With only 14 Green Heritage sites across the whole of Wales, having two in Neath Port Talbot is a real accolade for the area. Green spaces play a vital role in supporting the health and wellbeing of our communities. We'd like to thank everyone involved in caring for these sites for their unwavering commitment to nurturing welcoming, inclusive green spaces."

A full list of awards can be found on the Keep Wales Tidy website: https://keepwalestidy.cymru/our-work/awards/green-flag-parks/