Lullingstone, Shorne Woods, Pegwell Bay and five other Kent County Council parks have retained the Green Flag Award, the internationally recognised mark of quality for parks and green spaces.
Families heading to any of the eight Kent County Council country parks this summer will find a green flag flying overhead — proof that the sites have again passed muster under the UK’s leading parks quality scheme. Lullingstone, Grove Ferry, Shorne Woods, Teston Bridge, Trosley, Manor Park, Pegwell Bay and Brockhill have all held onto their Green Flag status, managed by the environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy.
Eight parks. Ancient woodland, chalk grassland, river valleys and coastal habitats — including the internationally important coastal habitats at Pegwell Bay. Quite a range.
Jamie Henderson, KCC Cabinet Member for Environment, Coastal Regeneration and Public Health, said the parks make “a real difference to people’s lives” and allow families to spend time together, people to connect with nature, and wildlife to thrive. He said KCC is “incredibly proud” to have maintained nationally recognised standards across Kent, and thanked the staff who care for the parks day to day.
Paul Todd MBE, Green Flag Award Manager at Keep Britain Tidy, said parks are essential public spaces that support wellbeing, communities and the economy. But he also flagged an uneven picture, warning that for many people in more deprived areas local parks don’t feel safe or welcoming. Investing in them, he argued, is a practical, preventative way to improve quality of life and ease pressure on public services.
Details of all eight award-winning parks are available at https://www.kent.gov.uk/leisure-and-community/kent-country-parks/find-a-kent-country-park
Eight Kent country parks keep their Green Flag Awards Quiz
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