FOUR country parks and nature sites in east and north Dorset have been given Green Flag awards after achieving international quality marks for parks and green spaces.
Avon Heath Country Park in St Leonards, Stour Meadows and Milldown in Blandford and Durlston Country Park in Swanage have all been commended.
Durlston Country Park has also achieved the Green Heritage Site Accreditation, supported by Historic England, for the management and promotion of its historic features.
Dorset Council’s cabinet member for place services Jon Andrews said he is “over the moon” to learn that Dorset’s country parks have been recognised as some of the best in the country.
He said: “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 added: “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.”
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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