Another Award for Yarrow Valley

CHORLEY’S Yarrow Valley

Country Park is leading the way when it comes to educating people about how to

stay safe while enjoying the beautiful surroundings.

 

Just weeks after gaining

green flag status for the fifth year in a row the Chorley Council-run park has

now been handed a special award for the innovative way people are being

educated about the dangers of swimming in open water.

 

Councillor John Walker, who

is responsible for making sure people enjoy the borough’s parks, said: “It’s

great that the park continues to be recognised as one of the best in the

country.

 

“Yarrow Valley is just one

of ten parks to receive this special award under the Green Flag scheme and it

is richly deserved.

 

“It’s important that people

not only enjoy the parks but can do so safely.

 

“The water safety DVD we

produced, with the help of local children, was brilliant at raising the dangers

of swimming in open water and it has definitely helped improve safety in the

park.”

 

The 700-acre country park,

off Birkacre Road, has experienced problems with young people swimming in the

lodges during the summer months. To combat the lack of awareness about the

dangers of swimming in open water, a DVD called “Wise up to Water” was created.

 

Local young people were

involved in the whole process of filmmaking and took part in acting out the

scenes.

 

The young people and park

rangers worked with Lancashire Fire and Rescue, Lancashire Police and the

Environment Agency to highlight the consequences of taking risks in the water

and also includes advice on dealing with an emergency situation.

 

The number of reported

incidents has dramatically decreased since the DVD was circulated to local

schools.

 

Paul Todd, Manager, Green

Flag Award Scheme, said: “It is fantastic to see that many places are seeking

to improve the park or green space to meet the needs of the local community by

innovative projects.

 

“We hope this year's winners

provide an inspiration to others who are looking to involve the community in

finding solutions to local issues.”

 

Councillor Walker added: “Making the

DVD was great fun for everyone involved but there was a really important

message behind it.

 

“Swimming in open water, whether at

Yarrow Valley or elsewhere in Chorley, is dangerous and I hope this award will

help to reinforce that message.”