Green flag returns to Stanmer Park

Volunteers gathered in Stanmer Park this week to celebrate with parks staff and proudly raise the prestigious Green Flag.

Awarded by environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy, the Green Flags are awarded to the best parks across the country – those that are well maintained and have excellent facilities.

The park has also achieved the Green Heritage Site Accreditation for the management and promotion of its historic features.

Stanmer Park is the city’s largest park, offering a diverse mix of parkland and woodland along with a historic church and pond and a stunning Walled Garden, run by Plumpton College. It’s well loved by both residents and visitors and a popular venue for events, as well as an attractive Gateway to the South Downs National Park.

Delighted!

Celebrating the award, Councillor Alan Robins, Cabinet Member for Sport, Recreation and Libraries, said: “We are delighted to be flying the Green Flag for another year in Stanmer Park. 

“Maintaining such a large and busy park takes a huge amount of effort and expertise, and I’d like to congratulate our Cityparks staff and the volunteers who work alongside them. 

“Their hard work to maintain the high standards and keep the park beautiful, safe and welcoming is much appreciated by the thousands of residents and guests who visit Stanmer Park all year round.”

Well managed and maintained

The annual Green Flag Award scheme recognises and rewards well-managed and maintained parks and green spaces across the country.

Different aspects of park management such as safety, cleanliness, litter and waste resources and arboricultural maintenance are judged when awarding parks with Green Flags. 

The criteria also considers whether opportunities are available for residents to get involved in the upkeep and enhancement of their local green spaces.

Supporting wellbeing

Paul Todd MBE, Green Flag Award Manager at Keep Britain Tidy, said: “Parks are essential public spaces that support our wellbeing, our communities and our economy. Yet for millions of people, particularly in the most deprived areas, local parks simply don’t feel safe or welcoming. 

“With public services under pressure, investing in parks is not a luxury, it’s a practical, preventative solution and one of the most visible ways to improve people’s quality of life. 

“Parks staff and volunteers at Stanmer Park have shown what can be achieved when parks are properly supported and managed. 

“As we celebrate 30 years of the Green Flag Award, we want every community to have access to green spaces like this that are safe, welcoming and maintained to a high standard. 

"Congratulations to everyone involved."

The Green Flag Award scheme, managed by environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy under contract 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.