Double celebration at Stover Country Park

Stover Country Park and Local Nature Reserve is celebrating a double award.

The 114 acre park, which is owned and managed by Devon County Council, has received the Green Flag Award from environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy for the 11th consecutive year.

It has also been presented with a 2014 Certificate of Excellence from TripAdvisor. This prestigious award is recognition that the Country Park has consistently earned outstanding feedback from TripAdvisor travellers. The award is based on the quality of reviews and opinions earned on TripAdvisor over the past year.

The park near Newton Abbot is among a record breaking 1,476 parks and green spaces to receive the Green Flag Award today (Monday 28 July) from environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy, providing recognition that it is one of the best parks in the country.

To retain its award, the country park and nature reserve has met the best standards in environmental and heritage conservation to win the award, and it has also demonstrated that it is well maintained, and provides excellent facilities and safe access for the whole community.

The small team of Rangers at Stover work with dedicated volunteers to maintain the park and its habitats for the benefit of wildlife, recreation and the local community. Their efforts have seen a record number of breeding Nightjars this year, with six fledged young.

Councillor Roger Croad, Devon County Council Cabinet Member for Environment and Community, said: “Congratulations must go to everyone connected with the park, whether they are rangers or volunteers. Their care and dedication has ensured that Stover is consistently recognised by the Green Flag Awards as one of the best parks in the country. And the fact that the TripAdvisor award is based on feedback speaks volumes for what the park has to offer visitors. That’s why it attracts around 300,000 visitors a year, and last year over 2,000 school children visited the park on educational trips. We’re fortunate to have such a beautiful park in our county.”

Councillor Tony Dempster, Devon County Councillor for Kingsteignton, said: “Congratulations to the small but very dedicated team of rangers at Stover Park. They well deserve to keep the Green Flag Award for the 11th year running and in addition the prestigious award of the Certificate of Excellence for 2014 from Trip Advisor. I frequently enjoy walks in the park and am impressed at the high standard of cleanliness, innovation and information throughout the Park. Long may it continue.”

Only green spaces that are free to enter and open to the public are eligible to receive a Green Flag Award.

Keep Britain Tidy’s Green Flag Award scheme manager Paul Todd said: “We are delighted to announce yet another record-breaking year for Green Flag Award parks and green spaces. A Green Flag Award provides national recognition for all the parks managers, staff and volunteers who, through their dedication and hard work, have helped to create these fantastic places for everyone to enjoy. Quality green spaces are a vital resource for communities and that is why it is so significant that we have given out more awards than ever before.”