THE site of Nottingham's world-famous Goose Fair has been hailed for the quality of its green space.
The Forest Recreation Ground has received a Green Flag Award for the first time.
The awards recognise the best green spaces in the country.
June Perry, chairman of Friends of the Forest, says the award completes a dramatic turnaround in The Forest's fortunes over the last decade.
She said: "When we were formed in 2001 The Forest was regarded as a bit of a wasteland. At one time it was quite common to see burned-out cars left around the park, piled up.
"It's gradually turned around, with councillors becoming more and more aware of the beautiful possibilities of the place and its historic value to people.
"It's very satisfying to see that work by the locals and the city council together has changed it to such a degree that it's worth a Green Flag. It is something that I thought would never happen."
The Forest is one of three parks and open spaces in Notts to have achieved a Green Flag Award for the first time.
Overall 40 have been announced, compared to 37 in 2012. They are given by Keep Britain Tidy.
Marcus Laing, 35, of St Ann's visited The Forest's outdoor gym area with his sons Kayne, 13, Ethan, ten, and Lewis, nine, yesterday.
He said: "It used to be a bit grubby, now it's looking bang on. I'm over the moon it has won a Green Flag, especially as we're close by."
Sharon Graley, 44, of Basford, visited the park with her partner Eugene Shaw, 40, and eight-year-old daughter Phoebe Malcolm.
She said: "It's always neat and tidy and looked after, and has improved a lot in recent years."
Mr Shaw added: "My parents used to bring me here when I was a kid. It used to just be a field and a tip where they would scrap cars. It's much better now."
The Forest award comes before the official opening of the park on August 31 after a £5.2m restoration.
The lottery-funded revamp included restoration of the park's Grade II listed lodge, pavilion, central promenade, and entrances and railings.
Improvements have also been made to pitches, paths and planting areas.
The work has also won The Forest a Green Heritage Award in recognition of efforts to highlight the site's historic importance.
It means The Forest is the first green space in the city to receive both awards.
City councillor Dave Trimble said: "This Green Flag Award recognises and highlights that people in Nottingham are benefiting from green space of the highest quality."
The accolades in Nottingham are among a record 1,448 awards given out across the UK this year.
Paul Todd, Green Flag Award programme manager, said: "It is testament to the hard work of the men and women who maintain and improve Nottinghamshire's parks and green spaces that they have achieved 40 Green Flag Awards and 11 Green Flag Community Awards this year.
"Parks and green spaces are an important part of our communities."
