The Craigavon Borough Council run park is one of only three in all of Ireland to gain this prestigious award, which is something similar to the blue beach flag award.

The national award scheme began in 1996 as a means of recognising and rewarding the best green spaces in the country. While established with local authorities in England and Wales this is the first time parks from Ireland were invited to apply.

Run and judged by the UK based Civic Trust, the Park had to fulfil and meet strict criteria on the way it is managed and run. As well as submitting an application based on seven main areas, Officers then had to escort two judges around the Park answering relevant questions. The judges were there to see for themselves a day in the life of the Park.

The Park has to be welcoming, clean and tidy. It has to incorporate good horticultural and sustainable practices, it has to appeal to people of all ages and run a wide range of activities for those who older, younger and also teenagers.

“I’m very honoured and pleased to have collected this award on behalf of Craigavon,” commented the Mayor Alderman Sidney Anderson

“Lurgan Park is a very popular venue for all residents with a wide variety of events on offer. Credit must also go to hard working team who make Lurgan Park what it is today,” He said.

In 2004 the Park was awarded £1.4million from the Heritage Lottery Fund to help the Council restore the Victorian Park to its former glory. Head of the Heritage Lottery Fund Northern Ireland, Mr Paul Mullan commented: “As the largest funder of heritage in Northern Ireland, HLF is committed to investing in parks and green spaces, which are important resources for local communities.

“We are delighted to have supported the transformation of Lurgan Park and on behalf of HLF, I congratulate the Council and all those involved who have helped secure this coveted award."

Lurgan Park attracts in the region of 2,000 visitors every weekend, who come to enjoy the 259 acres including the famous lime tree mall, the Lake, the playparks and of course the Colebrookdale Fountain.

The largest urban park in Northern Ireland, it was once part of the estate of the Brownlow family, before it was handed over to the people of Lurgan and became a public park managed by Lurgan Town Council in the early 1900’s.