Alexandra Park and Hastings Country Park Nature Reserve have been awarded the prestigious Green Flag Award, the international quality mark for well-managed parks and green spaces.

The two parks are among a record-breaking 2,391 sites across the UK to receive this year’s award, recognising the hard work, passion and dedication of the council’s parks team and the many volunteers who care for these green spaces.

Alexandra Park has also been awarded Green Heritage Site Accreditation for the management and promotion of its historic features.

The judges praised the outstanding standards at both parks. Commenting on Alexandra Park, they said: “This site is a credit to the staff and management who maintain it to such a high standard.”

They also said Hastings Country Park: “…is managed with real care, balancing its natural character with a safe, quality visitor experience. Strong collaboration between Hasti gs Borough Council, the Groundwork South team and the Friends group clearly pays off, resulting in a well?kept, welcoming and environmentally sensitive reserve – for both people and wildlife.”

Councillor Jo Walker, lead councillor for nature and green spaces, said: “Green spaces across our borough provide vital places for people to socialise, exercise and for children to play. They support our health and wellbeing, provide important habitats for wildlife, and help bring our communities together throughout the year.

“Looking after these spaces takes a huge amount of hard work and these two awards, together with the positive feedback from the judges, are a testament to the commitment of our 30+ members of staff and the countless volunteers who give their time to support them. Thank you to everyone involved.”

Paul Todd MBE, Green Flag Award Manager at Keep Britain Tidy, said: “Parks are essential public spaces that support our wellbeing, our communities and our economy. Yet for millions of people, particularly in the most deprived areas, local parks simply don’t feel safe or welcoming. 

“With public services under pressure, investing in parks is not a luxury, it’s a practical, preventative solution and one of the most visible ways to improve people’s quality of life.

“Hastings Borough Council has shown what can be achieved when parks are properly supported and managed. As we celebrate 30 years of the Green Flag Award, we want every community to have access to green spaces like this that are safe, welcoming and maintained to a high standard. Congratulations to everyone involved.”

The Green Flag Award scheme, managed by environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy under contract 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.