Eight of Medway’s greenspaces have once again been recognised by the Green Flag Award scheme.
It comes as the internationally recognised standard for parks and greenspaces celebrates its 30th year. The Green Flag Accreditation is testament to the hard work and dedication of the teams that care for Medway’s greenspaces so that visitors and residents alike can enjoy them.
The eight award-winning sites in Medway are:
- Broomhill Park
- Capstone Farm Country Park
- Gillingham Park
- Hillyfields Community Park
- Riverside Country Park
- The Great Lines Heritage Park
- The Vines Gardens
- Ranscombe Farm Reserve
In addition, The Great lines Heritage Park also retained its Green Heritage Site Accreditation, supported by Historic England, in recognition of the management and promotion of its historic features.
Award-winning standard
Cllr Simon Curry, Portfolio Holder for Climate Change and Strategic Regeneration, said: “Firstly, I want to say a huge thank you and congratulations to everyone involved in maintaining, promoting and looking after our wonderful parks. To ensure they are kept to the high award-winning standard takes lots of hard work from volunteers, friends of groups, council officers and our partners at Medway Norse and Plantlife.
"Access to high-quality greenspace is so important – the benefits of getting out into nature for both your physical and mental health have been proven. I am incredibly proud that eight of our parks have once again been recognised as among the best – and would encourage anyone reading this to get out there and explore what Medway has to offer.”
Essential public spaces
Paul Todd MBE, Green Flag Award Manager at Keep Britain Tidy, said: “Parks are essential public spaces that support our wellbeing, our communities and our economy. Yet for millions of people, particularly in the most deprived areas, local parks simply don’t feel safe or welcoming.
“With public services under pressure, investing in parks is not a luxury, it’s a practical, preventative solution and one of the most visible ways to improve people’s quality of life.
“Medway Council and its partners have shown what can be achieved when parks are properly supported and managed. As we celebrate 30 years of the Green Flag Award, we want every community to have access to green spaces like this that are safe, welcoming and maintained to a high standard. Congratulations to everyone involved."
The Green Flag Award scheme, managed by environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy under contract from the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government, recognises and rewards well-managed parks and greenspaces, setting the benchmark standard for the management of greenspaces across the United Kingdom and around the world.