Eco & Environment | Posted on July 16th, 2024 | return to news
Five Green Flag Awards for Dorset country parks
Flags for Avon Heath Country Park, Stour Meadows, Milldown, Durlston Country Park and Thorncombe Wood, Black Heath and Hardy’s Birthplace sites.
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Avon Heath Country Park, which is at St Leonards, just outside Ringwood, is one of Dorset Council’s five country parks to receive the Green Flag Award this year.
The others are Stour Meadows and Milldown in Blandford, Durlston Country Park in Swanage and Thorncombe Wood, Black Heath and Hardy’s Birthplace sites, which are in the Dorchester area.
Durlston Country Park has also achieved the Green Heritage Site Accreditation, supported by Historic England, for the management and promotion of its historic features.
Cllr Jon Andrews, Dorset Council’s Cabinet Member for Place Services, said: “I’m over the moon to learn that Dorset’s country parks and green spaces have once again been recognised as some of the best in the country.
“Spending time outdoors and connecting with nature is crucial for our mental and physical well-being, it also gives us a chance to meet new people and helps reduce loneliness.
“We’re very fortunate to have not one, but five Green Flag Award-winning sites. And I’d like to say a heartfelt thank you to the dedicated teams that look after these spaces, allowing us to enjoy them and the benefits they offer year-round.”
Keep Britain Tidy’s Green Flag Award Scheme manager, Paul Todd, said: “I would like to congratulate everyone involved in achieving these Green Flag Awards.
“Country parks and nature sites are vital green spaces for communities in Dorset to socialise, enjoy nature, for children to play safely and they provide important opportunities for park users to improve their physical and mental health.
“We know that staff and volunteers work tirelessly to ensure that they maintain 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.”
A full list of Green Flag Award-winning parks and green spaces is available on the Green Flag website.
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