Community-run park given Green Flag status

The Oval Bandstand & Lawns in Margate has received national recognition

A community-led park in Kent has been awarded Green Flag status.

The Oval Bandstand & Lawns in Margate has received national recognition for excellence in green space management and community involvement.

It is Margate's only Green Flag accredited park and only the second in Thanet to achieve the status – after Ellington Park in Ramsgate.

Paul Todd MBE, Green Flag Award scheme manager, said: "Quality parks and green spaces like The Oval make the country a healthier place to live and work in."

He added: "Crucially, The Oval is a vital green space for the community in Margate to enjoy nature, and during the ongoing cost of living crisis, it is a free and safe space for families to socialise."

The Green Flag Community Award celebrates green spaces that are managed by voluntary and community groups.

The Oval receives no local authority funding and is run by Grass Cliftonville CIC.

Director Stephen Darrer said: "We manage everything from dog waste disposal to mowing the lawns and trimming the hedges – all without any council provision.

"We are based in one of the UK's most deprived areas, so for a site like ours to receive this level of national recognition is truly extraordinary."

The judging panel praised The Oval's transformation since 2021, highlighting its welcoming atmosphere, accessibility improvements, sustainability focus and its innovative community-led programmes.

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