Aden Country Park has been praised as a jewel of the north-east after claiming its fifth Green Flag award in as many years.
Aberdeenshire councillor Jim Ingram, who represents the Mintlaw area, said the award honoured the hard work of all the staff and volunteers at the park.
He said: “It’s one of the jewels of Buchan and the whole of the north-east.
“I’m pleased to see the park receiving this award again because it deserves the recognition and I’m sure the whole of the village is proud.”
This year Aden Country Park has been joined by Haddo Country Park and Aberdeen’s Duthie Park as a Green Flag attraction.
The flags, awarded by a voluntary panel of judges, are judged against eight criteria including health and safety, cleanliness, sustainability and community involvement.
Derek Robertson, chief executive of charity Keep Scotland Beautiful which runs the scheme, said: “This is great news for the north-east, with Haddo being added to Aden and Duthie as Green Flag award-winning parks.
“All these parks make for a fantastic day out for all the family and they have worked hard to win their award.
“We’re very proud of all our award winners and particularly the army of local volunteers who work all year round in rain or shine to make the north-east parks beautiful.”
Situated half a mile west of the village of Mintlaw, Aden Country Park is open every day of the year.
The Aberdeenshire Farming Museum, a restaurant and craft shop – set around the park’s Farm Square – are also open on a seasonal basis.
A record number of 59 Green Flags were awarded by Mr Robertson’s organisation this year, with parks in Dumfries and Galloway, Stirling and North Lanarkshire collecting the gong for the very first time.
This year was the first time Haddo Country Park, near Tarves, was recognised with a Green Flag.
Duthie Park is the only green space in Aberdeen city which holds the award.
The annual People’s Choice Award, managed by Keep Britain Tidy, will soon be open – giving the public the power to decide which of this year’s Green Flag Award sites should be named park of the year with an online vote.