MARINE Lake in Rhyl has achieved the Green Flag Community Award in recognition of its volunteer involvement, high environmental standards and commitment to delivering quality green space.

It is the 11th successive year that it has earned such an award.

The Green Flag Award programme is delivered in Wales by the environmental charity Keep Wales Tidy, with support from Welsh Government.

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

Marine Lake, which was officially opened in 1895, has seen a number of changes in its 117 years, but has retained its safe area of water where visitors and residents can sail, canoe, water ski, walk, or go “crabbing”.

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The UK’s oldest 15-inch miniature steam railway can be also found in operation by the lake.

To add to the bird nesting boxes and tree planting, another renovation has been a programme to improve the biodiversity of the site by reducing the frequency of grass cutting at some parts of the lake.

This helps the wildflowers become established, set seeds, and flower again in future years.

In this way, it is hoped that the number and variety of wildlife species at the lake will gradually increase.

Bill Newton, chair of the Marine Lake Users Forum, said: “The Marine Lake Users Forum is very pleased and proud to be successful in being awarded a Community Green Flag award for the lake; the 11th successive time.

“The new flag will soon be flying from a pole in front of the lake. “

The Welsh Government minister for climate change, Julie James, added: “Our local green spaces have a vital role to play in connecting us to nature.

“These awards go to prove that Wales’ parks and similar areas are doing a wonderful job in providing quality places to relax and enjoy.

“The standard required to achieve Green Flag status is very high, so I want to congratulate all of the sites recognised for providing excellent, year-round facilities to local people and visitors alike.

“It’s fantastic to see we still hold more than a third of the UK’s Green Flag community sites in Wales – especially as the last two years have taught us all of the importance of nature and green spaces on our mental and physical wellbeing.”

Lucy Prisk, Green Flag co-ordinator at Keep Wales Tidy, said: “With more visitors than ever enjoying our green spaces, I’d like to congratulate the hard work of staff and volunteers who have maintained excellent standards at these sites.”