Three of Gillingham’s public green spaces have been awarded the prestigious Green Flag Award, the internationally recognised mark of quality for parks and open spaces.

These three sites – the Stour,  Shreen and Loddens public open spaces – are all managed and maintained by the grounds team at Gillingham Town Council.

They are among 2,250 parks and green spaces across the UK to receive the accolade this year, a reflection say organisers of the high standards in horticulture, safety, accessibility, biodiversity, and community engagement upheld by those who manage them.

The Green Flag Award Scheme, run by environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy under licence from the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, sets the benchmark for excellence in green space management both nationally and globally.

Green Flag award scheme manager, Paul Todd MBE, said: ‘Congratulations to everyone involved in Gillingham who has worked tirelessly to ensure that the town’s green spaces meet the high standards required for a Green Flag Award. Quality parks and green spaces like these make the country a healthier place to live and work in, and a stronger place in which to invest.

‘The sites in Gillingham are vital green spaces for communities to enjoy nature, and during the ongoing cost of living crisis they are a free and safe space for families to socialise. They also provide important opportunities for local people and visitors to reap the physical and mental health benefits of green space.’

He continued: ‘The achievement is a testament to the commitment of Gillingham Town Council’s Grounds Team and the dedication of the volunteers from Gillingham Action for Nature and Green GANG, who work in partnership to ensure these sites are well maintained, ecologically rich, and welcoming to the public.’

Gillingham mayor Councillor Fiona Cullen said: ‘This award is a recognition not just of excellent grounds maintenance, but also of our shared commitment to biodiversity and sustainability.

‘Gillingham’s green spaces are more than just beautiful places – they are living ecosystems that support pollinators, enhance air quality, and help tackle climate change.’

She added: ‘I would like to thank our dedicated Grounds Team and all the volunteers who give their time and passion to protect and enhance our natural environment. These awards show what can be achieved when councils and communities work together to value nature and invest in green infrastructure for the future.’

The Stour public open space incorporates Jubilee Fields, Rolls Bridge, King Edmund Green and Hawthorne Avenue; the Shreen public open space includes Shiresgate, Frog Hollow and Shreen Meadows; and the Loddens public open space is made up of Upper Lodden, Lower Lodden and Ham Farm.