Ellington Park receives a Green Flag Award for the fifth year running

Thanet District Council is celebrating today after receiving a prestigious Green Flag Award for Ellington Park in Ramsgate, for a fifth consecutive year.

It comes as the internationally recognised standard for parks and green spaces celebrates its 30th year.

Ellington Park is one of a record-breaking 2,391 in the UK to achieve the award this year – a fantastic testament to the hard work, passion and dedication of the team who care for this green space, ensuring it is maintained to a high standard for visitors and residents to enjoy.

In 2021 Ellington Park was restored by a partnership between The Friends of Ellington Park and Thanet District Council. The National Lottery Heritage Fund supported the restoration with £1.8million from its 'Parks for People’ programme.

The project was a sympathetic regeneration of the park, ensuring its important heritage remained at its heart. The park features a multipurpose café and toilet building, along with a children’s playground. The park's historic pathways, flint terrace and balustrade were restored, as was the 120-year-old bandstand. 

Ellington Park has also achieved the Green Heritage Site Accreditation for the management and promotion of its historic features.

Councillor Steve Albon, Cabinet Member for Cleansing and Coastal Services including Public Realm at Thanet District Council, said:

"We are thrilled that Ellington Park has been awarded the Green Flag for the fifth year in a row, alongside the Green Heritage Site Accreditation. This recognition is a direct result of the incredible hard work and dedication of our council teams, volunteers, and the Friends of Ellington Park. This park is the heart of the Ramsgate community, and we are proud to maintain it as a beautiful, safe, and historic space for everyone to enjoy."

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. 

“Thanet District 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.

For more information, please contact communications@thanet.gov.uk
Communications team: 01843 577 878