Westgate Parks, Reculver Country Park and Gorrell Valley Nature Reserve have all received Green Flag status for 2026, recognised by Keep Britain Tidy for high standards of management and community involvement.
Three parks and nature reserves in the Canterbury district have earned Green Flag status for the 2026 season. Keep Britain Tidy announced the awards on 14 July 2026, covering Westgate Parks, Reculver Country Park, and Gorrell Valley Nature Reserve — formerly known as Duncan Down. All three are owned by Canterbury City Council.
The Green Flag scheme recognises parks and green spaces that meet high management standards, follow environmentally sound practices, get the community involved and work well for both people and wildlife. The council says the three awards continue a record of Green Flag success stretching back many years across the district.
Cllr Mel Dawkins, the council’s Cabinet Member for Open Spaces, called it “a big collaborative effort” — crediting council officers, the grounds maintenance team at Canenco, and the volunteers working across all three sites.
Four volunteer and partner organisations share the day-to-day care of the sites alongside council staff:
- Friends of Westgate Parks – Westgate Parks
- Friends of the Gorrell Valley Nature Reserve – Gorrell Valley Nature Reserve
- HatHats at Reculver – Reculver Country Park
- Friends of Reculver and Bishopstone – Reculver Country Park
The council says time spent outdoors in parks and gardens is good for everyday health and wellbeing. The awards, it argues, show it is doing “everything right” when it comes to managing its open spaces. Volunteers are described as central to that effort, giving their time to help the sites look “the very best they can be.”
Canterbury parks win three Green Flag awards for 2026 Quiz
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