The news that Kent Country Parks have achieved the accreditation - the international quality mark for parks and green spaces - is testament to the hard work and dedication of the staff and volunteers who care for the green space so that everyone can enjoy it.
Keep Britain Tidy’s Green Flag Award Scheme Manager Paul Todd said: “I would like to congratulate everyone involved at Kent Country Parks in achieving a Green Flag Award.”
Feedback from the Judges describe Shorne Woods as a “gem of a park, which supports a large number of visitors. The staff are enthusiastic and knowledgeable, which is evident in the quality of the woodland management, and are supported by a great core team of volunteers”.
According to Judges, Grove Ferry Picnic Site near Canterbury is “exactly what a Green Flag Award park should look like. It is managed for both nature and yet provides visitors with the opportunity to connect, experience and learn about the natural environment. There are activities that add value to a visit and well managed paths around the site that enable visitors to get away from it.”
The Green Flag Award scheme, managed by environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy under licence from the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, recognises and rewards well-managed parks and green spaces, setting the benchmark standard for the management of green spaces across the United Kingdom and around the world.
View a full list of Green Flag Award-winning parks and green spaces.
“Our parks offer a vital green space for our residents and visitors and provide a great opportunity for families to enjoy a low-cost day out.”
Mike Hill, KCC Cabinet Member for Community and Regulatory Services said: “We are delighted once again to retain our Green Flag awards for eight of our country parks. Our parks offer a vital green space for our residents and visitors and provide a great opportunity for families to enjoy a low-cost day out.
“Recent improvements in accessibility at the park, notably three new Changing Places toilets, easy access trails, inclusive play areas and Tramper mobility scooters, mean that the parks are becoming increasingly accessible for more of our residents.
About Kent Country Parks
KCC has nine stunning country parks, each with its own unique character. The parks offer wonderful walks throughout the beautiful countryside and a varied events programme throughout the year offering visitors the chance to try den building, guided walks, pond dipping and animal handling to name but a few.
Kent Country Parks also offer expertise in Outdoor Learning and Education, a great place for schools to visit, and an extensive Forest School training and qualifications programme for Educators.
Brockhill, Shorne Woods, Lullingstone and Trosley all offer venue hire, ideal for meetings and events, in tranquil surroundings and the opportunity to engage with colleagues in team building days.
To find out more visit our Country Park webpages.
About the Green Flag Award
The Green Flag Award Scheme is run by the environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy, under licence from the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, in partnership with Keep Scotland Beautiful, Keep Wales Tidy and Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful.
Keep Britain Tidy is a leading environmental charity. We set the standard for the management of parks and beaches, inspire people to be litter-free, to waste less and live more sustainably. We run campaigns and programmes including the Great British Spring Clean, Eco-Schools, Love Parks, Eco-Schools, the Green Flag Award for parks and green spaces and the Blue Flag/ Seaside Awards for beaches. Visit the Keep Britain Tidy website to find out more about our campaigns and programmes.
Any green space that is freely accessible to the public is eligible to enter for a Green Flag Award. Awards are given on an annual basis and winners must apply each year to renew their Green Flag Award status. A Green Flag Community Award recognises quality sites managed by voluntary and community groups. Green Heritage Site Accreditation is judged on the treatment of the site’s historic features and the standard of conservation.
