A special celebration is taking place in West Bank Park, the latest of City of York council's parks to earn Green Flag status for their high standards.

Three council parks have earned the prestigious award this judging year - West Bank Park, Glen Gardens and Rowntree Park. Sites that carry Green Flag status are considered to be the best in the country.

To celebrate, young people on a wildlife school holiday activity day will join Friends of West Bank Park, Neighbourhood Services staff and Stephen Whittaker, of the council's Parks and Open Spaces team, in raising the 2007/08 flag in the park in Holgate on Wednesday 24 October at 11.45am.

The award is given by the Civic Trust after both a field assessment of the park in question, and a desk assessment looking at the parks management plan and policies. Eight criteria form the basis of the judging and include assessing the level of community involvement, conservation and heritage, sustainability and whether the site is generally welcoming and well maintained. Very positive comments and constructive criticisms about York's award winning parks have been received by the experienced judges who are drawn from a pool of parks professionals from all over England and Wales.

Stephen Whittaker said: "The Green Flag award sets national standards for parks and open spaces and in receiving these awards, recognition is given to everyone who works hard in maintaining, promoting, developing and managing these sites, whether they are from the council or interested volunteers. We are committed to the Green Flag award and plans are in place to bring other parks in York into the scheme in coming years".