The 2024 accolade also means that it is the tenth year in a row that the park has been awarded Green Flag status by environmental charity Keep Scotland Beautiful.

Councillor Robert Brown, Chair of the council’s Communities and Enterprise Committee, said: “Strathaven Park is a wonderful facility and is highly valued and appreciated by people throughout the town and beyond, so it great to see it continue to receive the appreciation it deserves at a such a prestigious level.

“There were no fewer than 2227 parks and green spaces across the UK, and 80 in Scotland, that won Green Flag awards, so it is not only a tremendous achievement for Strathaven Park to be placed in the top 10 once again but is also a reflection of the community’s connection to it and testament to the hard work and expertise of those who care for it.”

Keep Scotland Beautiful presents Green Flag awards in this country under license from Keep Britain Tidy to recognise excellent management and environmental standards.

The charity’s Training and Accreditation Coordinator, Jamie Ormiston, said: “It is wonderful to see Strathaven Park once again get the national recognition it deserves.

“The park is one of many fantastic and inspiring projects going on across the country to improve access to Scotland’s green spaces and adapt to the climate, nature and litter emergencies which is especially important as we know how beneficial being outside and in nature is for people’s mental and physical wellbeing.”

Applications for the 2025 Green Flag Award open on 2 December and further details can be found on Keep Scotland Beautiful’s website.