The international quality mark for parks and greenspaces – the Green Flag Award, has been awarded to Durlston Country Park, alongside five other Dorset Council countryside sites.
This is the best ever result for Dorset Council, as the scheme marks its silver jubilee. The Green Flag Awards are managed by environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy.
Durlston Country Park, a stunning cliff top nature reserve with far reaching sea views, recently completed a £1 million project to restore the Victorian Pleasure Grounds – a pathway through the woods with breathtaking viewpoints across to the Isle of Wight.
A recent addition is a children’s play trail with swings, hammocks and balance beams.
The new play trail at Durlston Country Park has been a real success
It’s not the first year that Durlston Country Park has won the Green Flag Award and it’s unlikely to be the last!
Durlston Country Park rangers said:
“We are really chuffed“
“We are really chuffed to have received another Green Flag for Durlston – thank you so much to everyone who helps make Durlston such a special place!”
The other Dorset Council parks receiving the Green Flag Award are Moors Valley, Avon Heath, Thorncombe Woods near Dorchester, and the Milldown and Stour Meadows in Blandford.
Avon Heath Country Park volunteers and staff with their Green Flag Award
“Testament to the hard work of the staff and volunteers”
Green Flag Award Scheme Manager Paul Todd said:
“I would like to congratulate everyone involved in making Dorset Council worthy of this achievement.
“To meet the requirements demanded by the scheme is testament to the hard work of the staff and volunteers who do so much to ensure these parks have high standards of horticulture, safety and environmental management and is a place that supports people to live healthy lives.”
This international award recognises that the space has the highest possible environmental standards, is beautifully maintained and has excellent visitor facilities.
The painstaking restoration of the Pleasure Grounds at Durlston Country Park has paid off
“Recognition of what superb parks we have”
Councillor Ray Bryan, Dorset Council’s portfolio holder for highways, travel and environment, said:
“In the last year we have all been reminded how important our country parks and greenspaces have been to the public and visitors to Dorset. Places where we can enjoy wildlife, landscape, outdoor activities of Dorset or just catching up with friends in the fresh air.
“Winning these six awards is recognition of what superb parks we have and a way of saying thank you to the staff and volunteers that maintain the high standards demanded by the Green Flag Award.”
