Two Oulton Broad Parks amongst the UK’s Best

Two Oulton Broad park Scoop Green Flag Awards, one for the second year in a row.

Nicholas Everitt Park and Woods Meadow Country Park in Oulton Broad have received a Green Flag Award; for Woods Country Park it's the second consecutive year.

The status recognises the country’s most welcoming and well-managed parks and green spaces. The two parks are amongst just a dozen in all off Suffolk to achieve the special status this year.

Woods Country Park was created in Oulton Broad in 2019 as a welcoming and informal green space, providing opportunities for learning, volunteering and a wider appreciation of nature.

The Woods Meadow Volunteer Group has been integral in establishing the park, having been the driving force in planting an 11-hectare woodland and several new hedgerows. Volunteers have also helped plant and look after hundreds of trees at Woods Meadow County Park – home to mixed native woodland and wildflower meadow.

A converted container was located on site as a ‘volunteer-hub’ providing on-site storage and a meeting place for regular work parties. Nearby, the park’s new orchard was planted by volunteers with help from Limes Primary Academy schoolchildren. 

Following successful public events on local birdlife and moths, Park Ranger Matt will be leading a Bat Walk during August. 

Also in Suffolk, Felixstowe’s famous Seafront Gardens will fly the Green Flag for the ninth consecutive year. 

Cllr Sarah Whitelock, East Suffolk’s Cabinet Member for Communities, Culture, Leisure and Tourism, said: “This is another proud achievement for everyone involved in the continued success of the Seafront Gardens and Woods Meadow as safe, clean and welcoming destinations for people to visit and enjoy.

“The award is in no small part thanks to the hard work of staff and volunteers in ensuring the highest standards when it comes to management and maintenance.”

Keep Britain Tidy’s Green Flag Award Scheme Manager, Paul Todd MBE said: “I would like to congratulate everyone involved at Felixstowe Seafront Gardens and Woods Meadow Country Park on achieving a Green Flag Award.

“It is important that our free to use spaces are maintained to the Green Flag Award standard, making them accessible for all members of the community while ensuring the environment is protected.”

The Green Flag Award scheme, managed by Keep Britain Tidy on behalf of the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, recognises the UK’s most welcoming and well-managed parks and green spaces.