West Suffolk parks continue to prove a winner

15 Jul 2025

The importance of the council’s continued investment in parks towards delivering its ambition for a thriving West Suffolk, has been recognised this week.

Parks and open spaces play a key role in West Suffolk Council’s delivery of its strategic priorities for thriving communities, environmental resilience and sustainable growth.

Aspal Close Nature Reserve in Beck Row, Brandon Country Park, East Town Park in Haverhill, Nowton Park and The Abbey Gardens in Bury St Edmunds and West Stow Country Park are all managed by West Suffolk Council.

All six have today (15 July) been awarded Green Flag status. It’s the sixth year running that all six have won. Green Flag Status is a recognised national quality mark for parks and green spaces. This award comes just 10 days before the start of Love Parks Week – a campaign by Keep Britain Tidy to encourage people to get out and enjoy the parks in their area.

Cllr Ian Shipp, Cabinet Member for Leisure, said: “Our parks are hugely important to our communities and to the council’s ambition for a thriving West Suffolk.”

“They are an important part of our strategic priority for Thriving Communities, providing clean, green, attractive places where residents can enjoy going for a walk, meeting for a run, and where children can play, supporting people’s physical and mental health.”

“Our parks support biodiversity including bees, butterflies and other pollinators and wildlife, delivering toward our strategic priority for environmental resilience.”

“They also have a role in supporting the sustainable growth of our economy. The Abbey Gardens alone receives over 1.3m visits each year, contributing to the fantastic mix of leisure, culture and heritage that continues to attract visitors to West Suffolk every year.”

“That’s why I am delighted that our investment in our parks and the hard work of our staff and volunteers has been recognised with six Green Flag Awards for the sixth year running.”

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 the management of green spaces across the United Kingdom and around the world.

 

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