Award winning parks

Swale Borough Council is celebrating after receiving a Green Flag Award for Milton Creek Country Park, Oare Gunpowder Works Country Park and, for the first time, Faversham Recreation Ground.

The green flag award is the international quality mark for parks and green spaces and is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the team and volunteers that care for them, for visitors and residents alike to enjoy.

Faversham Rec has received the award for the first time thanks to improvements made during the ambitious heritage-led regeneration scheme which was funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund and the Big Lottery Fund.

Whilst this is the third consecutive year that Milton Creek Country Park has received the award, and an impressive 19th year in a row for the Gunpowder Works.

For a green space to receive the award it needs to meet the high standards in cleanliness, community engagement, conservation, safety, inclusivity and much more.

Cllr Rich Lehmann, chair of the Environment and Climate Change Committee,

“We know how important these green spaces are to our community; offering a place for residents to get out in nature, keep active and meet with friends and family.

“So, it is incredibly pleasing to see some of our most beautiful natural assets recognised with Green Flag awards. Especially as it gives us an opportunity to put a spotlight on the hard work of the committed volunteers and our officers.

“The awards are only given to green spaces that meet the highest standards, and this would not be possible without the members of the community who pour their time and passion into them.

“Faversham Rec receiving the award for the first time shows we, as a council, are striving to move forward and improve Swale, whilst working hard to maintain the high standards of our other country parks.

“We are fortunate to live in a location with such a unique mix of coastline, countryside and green spaces and are proud of the standard we maintain them to, with the help of Swale’s passionate volunteers.”

The team of volunteers at Milton Creek Country Park said:

“We are very proud to have been awarded the Green Flag again this year, and all the hard work has been recognised by the judges and regular park users.”

“Kris Staples, the park ranger, is amazing, and is why we come to the park each week and work our socks off.”

Georgie and Terry Gates, volunteers at the Faversham Rec, said:

“We are pleased to be a part of an enthusiastic team, led by Mathew Cockell, the Ground Ranger.

“It is great to have our work recognised, however it is with Matt’s guidance we have succeeded.

“We definitely make a difference.”

Paul Jesset, volunteer at the Oare Gunpowder Works, said:

“The friends of Oare Gunpowder Works are delighted that we have again achieved Green Flag status.

“Our volunteers work hard to balance the tasks of both conservation and maintenance to achieve a high standard of preservation for visitors in this unique location”.

Paul Todd MBE, Keep Britain Tidy’s Green Flag Award Scheme Manager, said:

“I would like to congratulate everyone involved at Milton Creek Country Park, Oare Gunpowder Works Country Park and the Faversham Recreation Ground on achieving a Green Flag Award.

“These are vital green spaces for communities in Swale to socialise, enjoy nature, for children to play safely and it provides important opportunities for park users to improve their physical and mental health.

“We know that staff and volunteers work tirelessly to ensure that it maintains the high standards of the Green Flag Award, everyone involved should feel extremely proud of their achievement.

“It is important that our free to use spaces are maintained to the Green Flag Award standard, making them accessible for all members of the community while ensuring the environment is protected.”

The Green Flag Award scheme, managed by environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy under licence from the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government, 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.

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