Green Flag Awards are going to Calgary’s Reader Rock Garden and Confederation Park—again. Both are receiving the international recognition for a second consecutive year. Announcements came from the organization as well as the city Wednesday morning. “Calgary’s parks are some of the spaces that make our city so special,” Mayor Jeromy Farkas said. “This international recognition is something all Calgarians can be proud of.” Farkas said getting the nod “speaks to the incredible work of our city staff, volunteers and community partners who care for these spaces every day.” Jeffrey Martin, zone superintendent for parks and open spaces, said these people “are passionate about these park spaces, and it shows.” “This recognition demonstrates our commitment to ensuring Calgary’s parks continue to be vibrant, accessible and enjoyable places for people to gather, explore and connect,” Martin said. Reader Rock Garden is described by the city as “one of [its] most unique cultural landscapes, hosting thousands of different plant species.” Reader Rock Garden was created in 1913. The crescent-shaped Confederation Park is “more than 160 hectares” and includes “a wetland section and ... a host of aquatic wildlife and plant species.” Confederation Park was created in 1967. James Dymond, director of Bradgate Park Trust U.K. and involved with this year’s international judging in Canada, called Reader Rock Garden and Confederation Park “two very different sites.” “Congratulations to the City of Calgary parks teams and the hard work that clearly goes into these Green Flag Award-winning spaces,” Dymond said. Green Flag Awards have been given to more than 2,000 parks and green spaces in more than 15 countries since 1996. The organization said it “celebrates excellence in management, maintenance and visitor experience for parks and green spaces.”
