The park has won a prestigious international honour

A Doncaster area park and pavilion has been honoured with a prestigious international award.

Belton Park Pavilion is celebrating after being awarded the Green Flag Community Award, the international quality mark for parks and green spaces.

The volunteer-led charity is one of a record-breaking 2,391 sites across the UK to receive a Green Flag Award this year, during the scheme’s 30th anniversary year.

The award recognises well-managed, welcoming and high-quality green spaces, with the Community Award specifically celebrating sites managed by volunteers and community groups.

The award follows a period of significant investment and improvement at the Pavilion, including the development of a thriving community garden, environmental enhancements, new planting schemes, improved visitor facilities, ongoing maintenance of the playing fields and children’s play area, and a growing programme of activities and events serving residents of all ages.

Belton Park Pavilion is entirely volunteer-led and has become a focal point for community life, hosting community days, family events, wellbeing sessions, fundraising initiatives and social gatherings throughout the year.

Anthony Temperton, Chairman of Belton Park Pavilion, said: “This is a fantastic achievement for our volunteers and our community. Every flower planted, every event organised, every improvement made and every hour given by our volunteers and village helpers has helped make this possible.

“Over recent years we have worked incredibly hard to improve the Pavilion and its surroundings, creating a welcoming, safe and vibrant space for the whole community to enjoy.

“Belton Park Pavilion has been at the heart of village life since 1973, and this award is recognition of the pride people have in our community and what can be achieved when people come together.”

Paul Todd MBE, Green Flag Award Manager at Keep Britain Tidy, said: “Parks are essential public spaces that support our wellbeing, our communities and our economy.

“Belton Park Pavilion’s volunteers have shown what can be achieved when parks are properly supported and managed.

“As we celebrate 30 years of the Green Flag Award, we want every community to have access to green spaces that are safe, welcoming and maintained to a high standard.”

The Green Flag Award scheme is managed by environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy and sets the benchmark standard for the management of recreational outdoor spaces across the United Kingdom and around the world.

Belton Park Pavilion serves the communities of Belton, Beltoft, Sandtoft and the wider Isle of Axholme, providing a valuable community hub and recreational green space that is run by the village, for the village.