A POPULAR Teignbridge park has been recognised as among the best in the UK after receiving a prestigious Green Flag Award, the international quality mark for parks and green spaces.

This year marks the 21st consecutive year Stover Country Park has received the award. 

Grand Western Canal Country Park has also achieved the award.

Councillor Andrea Davis, Devon County Council Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Environment and Transport, said: ‘Both parks are extremely special places and I want to congratulate all the staff and volunteers because the retention of the Green Flag Award is entirely down to them; their hard work and the time and effort that they invest every day ensures that the highest standards are maintained year after year.

‘Both of these parks are great habitats for our local wildlife, havens of biodiversity and they benefit our health and wellbeing.’

At Stover Country Park, work started in March on a range of major improvements as part of the Restoring Stover Park Project funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund and National Highways, adding to the comprehensive programme of activities for underrepresented community groups.

Work on the visitor centre extension, the new community workshop, the conservation of the Grade 2 Listed Gatehouse, the dredging of Stover Lake, and the re-establishment of a section of the historic serpentine lake is expected to be completed this autumn. 

The extensive activity plan of community engagement is continuing to be delivered throughout the three-year programme.

The Restoring Stover Park Project will be completed in 2026 delivering benefits to wildlife, the historic landscape and park users through improvements in visitor facilities and the water quality of Stover Lake, and the creation of new walking routes with conserved historic features.  

Keep Britain Tidy’s Green Flag Award Scheme Manager Paul Todd MBE said: ‘I would like to congratulate everyone involved at Stover Country Park on achieving a Green Flag Award.

‘We know that staff and volunteers work tirelessly to ensure that it maintains the high standards of the Green Flag Award, everyone involved should feel extremely proud of their achievement.’