Rushcliffe Country Park has received its 18th consecutive Green Flag Award, acknowledging the green space as one of the country’s best parks.
The popular park has been named again among 2,227 other UK places that have received the award, which sets the benchmark standard for the management of recreational outdoor spaces across the UK and around the world.
Set in the south Nottinghamshire countryside, the park consists of a diverse range of habitats for wildlife including woodlands, grasslands, a lake with a reed bed, wildflower meadows.
It’s also home to a variety of different birds and at quieter times of the day badgers, foxes, hares and muntjac deer have been spotted.
The park also boasts a network of over eight kilometres of footpaths and a dog agility course.
Other recent investments by Rushcliffe Borough Council (RBC) include a newly refurbished play area, café and outdoor shelter, visitor centre, bookable meeting room, electric vehicle charging points, pathway restoration work, refurbished toilets, shade sails, skatepark and BMX track.
Friends of Rushcliffe Country Park Chairperson Ann Towle said: “We strive to develop and enhance Rushcliffe Country Park and raising the Green Flag at the park for a 18th year means a lot to us.
“The park has 85 hectares of wildflower meadows, grassland, conservation and landscaped areas and a two hectare lake.
“Conservation work is a priority, and we know visitors love exploring and watching the diversity of wildlife at the park.
“Every Wednesday morning, we welcome park goers to the visitor centre, where we sell a selection of items including books, homemade jams and honey made from the park’s bees to raise funds for the park. The Friends are always delighted to see and chat to visitors there.
“Our door is always open to new volunteers, so if anyone would like to join and help to maintain the green flag status, please get in touch!”
Contact the Friends of Rushcliffe Country Park by email [email protected], phone 0115 921 5865 or search ‘Friends of Rushcliffe Country Park’ on Facebook.
The Green Flag Award is a sign to the public that the space boasts the highest possible environmental standards, is beautifully maintained and has excellent visitor facilities.
Parks are a vitally important part of this country’s green infrastructure, providing opportunities to improve physical and mental health even in the most built-up urban environments. It is estimated that active visits to parks in England result in £2billion of avoided costs of ill-health every year.
For more information about Rushcliffe Country Park and details on how to plan your next visit, or book the meeting room, please go to www.rushcliffe.gov.uk/