Whitlingham Country Park on the doorstep of Norwich is one of the best in the country – and that’s official!
For the fifth consecutive year it has received the Green Flag Award, a sign to visitors that the park is a high quality green space which is well-maintained and managed, with excellent facilities.
Whitlingham Country Park, which offers a breathing space to city dwellers, is one of a record number of 1,288 parks and green spaces receiving the Green Flag Award this year.
Chairman of Whitlingham Country Park Charitable Trust, Martin Shaw, said. "The Trust is delighted that the Park has been successful in obtaining the Green Flag award again this year, since it sets a national benchmark of excellence in recreation management. Against a background of ever increasing numbers of visitors to Whitlingham the award recognises the high environmental standards achieved in the Park. It is a tribute to the hard work of many volunteers as well as the expertise of Broads Authority rangers.who maintain the country park."
The 280 acre Country Park has been an outstanding success story. Created from gravel workings in the 1990s it now has two broads, one with an Outdoor Education Centre offering sailing, canoeing, windsurfing and other activities, woodlands, meadows, easy access footpaths, and a flint barn housing a visitor centre and café which this year will be open all year round.
It offers easy access to the countryside for city residents and attracts some 500,000 visitors a year. A fifth public car park is shortly to open to accommodate the increasing numbers. The park lies on the Wherryman’s Way long distance walking route to Gt Yarmouth.
The country park is owned by the Whitlingham Charitable Trust and managed in partnership with the Broads Authority, Norfolk County Council and South Norfolk District Council.
Phil Barton, Green Flag Plus Partnership chairman said: “I would like to congratulate this year’s winners, who have worked hard throughout the year to keep their parks and green spaces at a high standard and ensure they are pleasant and enjoyable spaces for the whole community.
“The Green Flag Award Scheme, and its growth, is essential in driving up the standards of our parks and green spaces. In these challenging financial times it is heartening that the number of Green Flag Awards continue to grow.”
All award-winning sites now have the chance to receive a further award from the Green Flag Plus Partnership, the People’s Choice Award. This is voted for by the public, so if you want to see your local park receive a national accolade as the people’s choice, then visit the Green Flag Award website at www.greenflagaward.org.uk now to register your vote.
