AVON HEATH and Moors Valley country parks have been awarded Green Flag awards.

In total, the award status has been awarded to six of Dorset Council's countryside sites - the best ever results for the county.

The council says it is a "testament to the hard work and dedication of the team".

Durlston Country Park, Thorncombe Woods near Dorchester, and the Milldown and Stour Meadows in Blandford, were also recognised by the Green Flag Award scheme as some of the very best in the world.

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 United Kingdom and around the world.

Green Flag Award scheme manager Paul Todd said: “I would like to congratulate everyone involved in making Dorset Council worthy of this achievement”

“To meet the requirements demanded by the scheme is testament to the hard work of the staff and volunteers who do so much to ensure these parks have high standards of horticulture, safety and environmental management and is a place that supports people to live healthy lives.”

This international award, is a sign to the public that the space has the highest possible environmental standards, is beautifully maintained and has excellent visitor facilities.

Cllr Ray Bryan, Dorset Council's Portfolio Holder for Highways, Travel and Environment, added: “In the last year we have all been reminded how important our Country Parks and greenspaces have been to the public and visitors to Dorset. Places where we can enjoy wildlife, landscape, outdoor activities of Dorset or just catching up with friends in the fresh air.

"Winning these six awards is recognition of what superb parks we have and a way of saying thank you to the staff and volunteers that maintain the high standards demanded by the Green Flag Award.”

 

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