Community Celebrates the Bell Park Main Beach Blue Flag award

For immediate release 
Tuesday, June 21, 2016

Just in time for the swimming season in Greater Sudbury, an official flag-raising event took place at the Bell Park Main Beach on Tuesday, June 21, to celebrate the beach's Blue Flag designation. 

The Blue Flag is a recognized international eco-label for beaches, which is awarded based on 33 strict criteria in water quality, environmental education and management, and safety and services.  

"We are very proud to have been awarded the Blue Flag designated beach award two years in a row now," said Ron Henderson, General Manager of Citizen and Leisure Services. "It demonstrates our commitment to clean, safe beaches for all of our residents to enjoy. The Blue Flag promotes tourism, health, environment, safety and sustainability in our community."

The Blue Flag award is administered nationally by Environmental Defence and is managed internationally by the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE). More than 4,000 beaches and marinas have been certified in 49 countries around the world, including across Europe, South Africa, Morocco, Tunisia, New Zealand, Brazil, Canada and the Caribbean.

"This is the second year that Bell Park Main Beach has been awarded the prestigious Blue Flag," said Ashley Wallis, Blue Flag Program Manager with Environmental Defence. 

"When you see a Blue Flag flying, you know a beach or marina is clean and accessible; has great water quality; meets high safety standards; and is working hard to protect local shorelines and ecosystems. We are so pleased to help raise the Blue Flag today, and recognize the City of Greater Sudbury's leadership in sustainable beach management."

For more information about Blue Flag, visit www.blueflag.ca.

For more information on City environmental initiatives, the Lake Water Quality Program or community beaches please visit www.greatersudbury.ca.

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