Rushcliffe Country Park receives 18th consecutive Green Flag Award!
Last updated: 8/8/2024
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.
RBC’s Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Leisure and Wellbeing, ICT and Member Development Cllr Jonathan Wheeler said: “We’re thrilled to raise the Green Flag at Rushcliffe Country Park for the 18th consecutive year highlighting the park as a leading green space in the country.
“It’s a fantastic achievement and a testament to the hard work and dedication that takes place here week in and week out from our park rangers, Friends of Rushcliffe Country Park volunteer group and our Streetwise team who help to maintain the green space so that everyone can enjoy it.
“The park is among the jewels in the crown of the Borough and attracts over 300,000 visitors a year. There is so much to do at the park with a newly refurbished large children’s play area, BMX track and skatepark, outdoor gym, sensory trails and more!
“There are also picnic benches across the site so friends and families can enjoy a lovely day out and have a bite to eat in a beautiful setting.
“Our excellent facilities also include the café Coffee and Cake by the Lake, visitor centre, bookable meeting venue and changing places toilets.
“Thank you to all our staff and the Friends volunteers who go above and beyond every year to build on its continued success and improve the park and facilities.
“The local volunteers have greatly contributed to the park over 20 years, as well as conservation work such as hedge laying and tree planting, they have created a number of educational trails and recreational activities around the park.”
Friends of Rushcliffe Country Park Chairperson Ann Towle added: “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 countrypark@rushcliffe.gov.uk, 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 visit RBC's website.
