Directory

Access tools

Set Text size

A

|

A

|

A

Set Contrast

A

|

A

|

A

Text only
Translation
Listen

News

Celebrating Upton Country Park’s Green Flag

Borough of Poole has held a celebration to thank everyone who helped Upton Country Park gain a prestigious Green Flag award .

Upton Country Park was awarded a Green Flag in July, recognising it as one of best open spaces in the country.

Councillors, staff and volunteers from the Friends of Upton Country Park were invited to celebrate the achievement at the park’s Peacock Tea Rooms on August 15.

Cllr Peter Adams, Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Culture and Leisure, said: "A great deal of work went into achieving Green Flag status. This event is an opportunity to thank everyone who has helped make Upton Country Park such a special place.”

Green Flag judges, who visited Upton Country Park in May, praised staff and volunteers for their work in a number of areas.

Judges highlighted the success of the park’s orchard area which is on the site of the orchard that would have served the kitchens in Upton House when previous families lived there. A few of the original trees survived but replanting has taken place using many west country varieties such as Bryanston Gage Plum or Dabinett’s apple.

Staff at Upton Country Park were commended for their commitment and knowledge of the estate, which was praised for being clean and litter free. Volunteers from the Friends of Upton Country Park group were also recognised for raising more than £750,000 towards the upkeep of the park.

Judges said improvements to the park could include the introduction of composting, recycling and energy saving measures.

Borough of Poole is set to embark on a major project to restore the park’s historic walled garden. The project, which will see the introduction of a new irrigation system to harvest rain water, is set to start in Autumn 2007.

Nick Woods, Leisure Services Ranger, said: “The feedback we have received is extremely positive. The recommendations help us to plan for the improvements needed to continue the development of the park for all its visitors.”

Upton Country Park is managed by Borough of Poole and offers more than 100 acres of woodland, parkland and shoreline which is open and free to the public all year round.

Lisa Gaskell, Communications Co-ordinator
Tel: 01202 633060