Swansea University judged one of country’s best green spaces

Swansea University has once again been named among the winners of this year’s Green Flag Awards – the international mark of a quality park or green space.

The hard work of the University’s grounds team means the flag will continue to fly at both its Singleton Park and Bay campuses.

Keep Wales Tidy says the award recognises excellent visitor facilities, high environmental standards and a commitment to delivering great quality green space.

The University’s historic Singleton site is set in lush parkland and boasts well-established grounds providing a wide variety of habitats, with grassland, mature woodland, planted areas and ponds which help to support an extensive variety of wildlife. 

The Bay Campus, adjacent to Crymlyn Burrows Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), offers beachside habitats with plenty of room to explore.

Grounds manager Paul Edwards said his team was delighted to have secured the honour again.

He said: “Now, more than ever, our outdoor spaces are integral not only for social distancing but also because they provide a relaxing and welcoming environment in such challenging and stressful times. 

“We always ensure that sustainability is at the heart of all that we do and work closely with our colleagues to ensure that the grounds are maintained in as environmentally friendly a manner as possible.”

Swansea University Vice-Chancellor Professor Paul Boyle said: “Our grounds are a vital part of what is so special about our university. They play an important role in bolstering the wellbeing of our staff and students alike and we take great pride in the fact they are as much a home for wildlife as they are for people.

“Ensuring our surroundings are managed well, with sustainability at the heart of all developments, is a top priority for our University. 

“We are proud to be in the top 10 of the UK’s greenest universities, thanks to the hard work of dedicated colleagues like those in our grounds management team.”

A total of 224 parks and green spaces across the country have received the prestigious Green Flag Award and Green Flag Community Award from environmental charity Keep Wales Tidy, with support from Welsh Government. 

Independent green space experts volunteered their time in early autumn to judge applicant sites against eight strict criteria, including biodiversity, cleanliness, environmental management and community involvement. 

Lucy Prisk, Green Flag Coordinator at Keep Wales Tidy said: “The pandemic has shown just how important high-quality parks and green spaces are to our communities. For many of us, they have been a haven on our doorstep, benefitting our health and well-being.”

Find out more about Swansea University grounds 

More details about this year’s winners and the awards can be found on the Keep Wales Tidy website