Hastings celebrates as parks and green spaces win Green Flag Awards

Alexandra Park, St Leonards Gardens and Hastings Country Park have all retained their Green Flag Status for another year.

The Green Flag Award scheme, managed by environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy under licence from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, recognises and rewards well-managed parks and green spaces, setting the benchmark standard for their management across the United Kingdom and around the world.

The parks are 3 of more than 2,000 sites across the country to collect the award this year.

Cllr Maya Evans, lead councillor for Natural Environment and Leisure, said,

"Retaining this award means a huge amount to us at Hastings Borough Council. Our council officers and partners work very hard to ensure that parks and open spaces across Hastings and St Leonards are well managed and suitable for all to enjoy, so it's great to see this hard work rewarded.

"At this time of national crisis, the importance of access to quality green spaces and nature for physical and mental health has been starkly highlighted.

"Our Bottle Alley lights will be turning green this evening (14 October) to celebrate, and to join in with the national "Go Green For Parks" campaign."

Commenting on Hastings' success, Keep Britain Tidy Chief Executive Allison Ogden-Newton OBE said,

"This year, more than ever, our parks and green spaces have been a lifeline and we know that millions of people have used them to relax, meet friends, exercise or simply escape for a short time.

"It is testament to the incredible dedication and hard work of parks staff and volunteers that, despite the challenges that went along with record numbers of visitors, Hastings Borough Council and its partners have achieved the highest international standards in St Leonards Gardens, Alexandra Park and Hastings Country Park as demanded by the Green Flag Award."

On 14 October, Bottle Alley joined buildings and landmarks across the country, including the White Cliffs of Dover at Samphire Hoe, the London Stadium in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and Salford's Media City, in going green for parks to celebrate Hastings Green Flag Award success and to say a massive thank you to the parks staff, volunteers and the Green Flag Award Judges for all their work this year