Brighton's Stanmer Park Awarded Green Flag - While 18 More In Sussex Retain Theirs

Stanmer park has been recognised as one of the country's best parks, while seven others in Brighton, three in Hastings and eight in Adur and Worthing retain their Green Flag status.

It's following a successful regeneration project at Stanmer, which completed last year. The project was funded from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, the City Council, Plumpton College and the South Downs National Park Authority.

Easthill Park, Hove Park, Kipling Gardens, Preston Park, St Ann’s Well Gardens, Stoneham Park and The Level have all been re-awarded coveted Green Flags for excellence. 

Councillor Amy Heley, co-chair of the council’s environment, transport and sustainability committee, said:

“For the past two years our parks and green spaces have played a vital role for people during lockdowns as a place to relax, exercise and meet friends and family safely.

 “Therefore, I’m thrilled that so many of our city parks have been awarded Green Flags – it’s a fitting tribute to our dedicated staff, Friends groups and volunteers who work tirelessly to make sure that the quality is maintained, and our parks and gardens are a pleasure to visit all year round.

“With Green Flags flying in parks in Brighton, Hove, Portslade and Rottingdean, it’s a real city-wide success story.”

Commenting on the news that Stanmer Park has been welcomed into Brighton & Hove’s family of Green Flag parks, Keep Britain Tidy’s Accreditation Manager, Paul Todd, added:

“I would like to congratulate everyone involved in making Stanmer Park worthy of a Green Flag Award.

“Stanmer Park, and the other parks also receiving Green Flags this year, are vital green spaces for the community in Brighton and Hove. This award is testament to all the hard work of staff and volunteers, who do so much to ensure that it maintains the high standards demanded by the Green Flag Award.” 

Meanwhile, Hastings Borough Council has expressed delight that Alexandra Park, Hastings Country Park and St Leonards Gardens have retained Green Flag status for another year.

Cllr Julia Hilton, lead for Natural Environment at Hastings Borough Council, said:

“The past two years have seen parks and green spaces play a vital role for people through lockdowns as a place to relax, exercise and meet friends and family. The news that Alexandra Park, Hastings Country Park and St Leonards Gardens have achieved the Green Flag Award for another year is testament to the hard work and dedication of the team and local volunteers who work hard to make the borough’s green spaces areas that everyone can enjoy.

“I would like to thank all involved who work so hard to ensure our borough’s parks and gardens remain beautiful spaces for everyone to enjoy. The continued achievement of Green Flag status would not be possible without you all.”  

Commenting on the news that Hastings has achieved the Green Flag Award standard, Keep Britain Tidy’s Accreditation Manager Paul Todd said:

“I would like to congratulate everyone involved in making Alexandra Park, Hastings Country Park and St Leonards Gardens worthy of a Green Flag Award.

“Alexandra Park, Hastings Country Park and St Leonards Gardens are vital green spaces for the community in Hastings. This award is testament to all the hard work of staff and volunteers, who do so much to ensure that it maintains the high standards demanded by the Green Flag Award."

Over in Adur and Worthing, eight parks have been awarded the Green Flag for their successful management, beautiful appearance and achieving the highest environmental standards.

Buckingham Park

In Adur, Buckingham Park, Lancing Manor Park, Lancing Ring and Shoreham Beach have all retained the honour; while in Worthing, Beach House Park, Field Place, Highdown Gardens and Marine Gardens have once again won Keep Britain Tidy’s award.

Shoreham sea kale 

The Green Flag is awarded to green spaces such as parks, reserves, allotments, woodlands and gardens of the highest level. There are now 2,208 across the UK flying the flag - all of which are meeting the needs of the communities they serve.

Worthing's Highdown Gardens

Cllr Emma Evans, Adur District Council’s Cabinet Member for the Environment, said: “It’s brilliant news that four of our treasured open spaces have been recognised for the distinguished Green Flag award.

Worthing's Marine Gardens

“Our green spaces are so valuable to our communities, and this award is evidence of all the hard work our teams and fabulous volunteers have invested into our parks.”

Cllr Vicki Wells, Worthing Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for the Environment, said: “Our green spaces are more important than ever. During the pandemic they were sanctuaries for many and are greatly valued by locals and visitors to help connect with nature."

“A Green Flag award isn’t easily obtained and wouldn’t be possible without the dedicated, hard work of the amazing volunteers and Friends Of Groups we have across the borough.  Each award reflects this commitment and energy and I am so proud of each group for their achievement.”

The Green Flag Award scheme, managed by environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy under licence from the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, recognises and rewards well-managed parks and green spaces, setting the benchmark standard for the management of green spaces across the country and around the world.

The Councils would like to thank their Parks and Foreshore team and army of volunteers whose hard work has made these awards possible.

Groups that deserve special recognition include: Friends of Shoreham Beach, Friends of Buckingham Park, Lancing Manor volunteer group, Friends of Lancing Ring, Field Place gardening group, BugCycle Community Garden (Creative Waves), Friends of Marine Gardens and Highdown Gardens volunteers. Congratulations also to the Friends of Heene Cemetery who won their Green Flag Community Award.

The Green Flag Award scheme is managed by environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy under licence from the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities. The awards recognise and reward well-managed parks and green spaces, setting the benchmark standard for the management of green spaces across the United Kingdom and around the world.