Green Flag Flies Again

Branston Water Park is celebrating again this summer after being given its third Green Flag award in a row.

Branston Water Park is a small nature reserve just off the A38 or the Trent & Mersey towpath. The lake - with its reedbeds, woodland and meadow area - offer a vital haven for wildlife and for people needing to relax, or study the abundant wildlife, while a children’s play area and walk way around the lake make the Park ideal for families too.
Councillor Philip Atkins, Deputy Leader for Health and Leisure, said: ‘I know I speak for the whole Council when I say we are proud that Branston Water Park has achieved its third successive Green Flag Award. This demonstrates East Staffordshire Borough Council’s commitment to the environment and high quality open space and is a tribute to the hard work and endeavours of our staff."

Lawrence Oates, said: “We are very proud that Branston Water Park has retained its Green Flag Status for the third consecutive year.
 
“I am sure that this will provide the inspiration, for East Staffordshire’s new Ranger team to retain the award for a fourth year and to achieve Green Flag status for at least another one of our Parks in 2008.
 
“Gaining this important award is not at the expense of other parks, but instead the good practice learned at Branston Water Park is used to improve on the already high standards of all of East Staffordshire’s Parks and Open Spaces.” 

Baroness Andrews, who announced the winners this year, said: "I’d like to congratulate all of the Green Flag winners. The huge rise in winners is yet more evidence that across the country the standard of our parks continues to rise. Parks are an oasis of calm and natural beauty and have a vital role to play in our modern lives as places where people come together to relax, exercise and play.

"Green Flags are awarded to the country’s best parks but everyone should be able to enjoy great quality parks and green spaces. Our ambition is that all communities should benefit from this renaissance and local people have the opportunity to take part in the transformation of their parks.”

Branston Water Park was originally an open cast gravel pit and is now home to several different species of animal and plant life, both common and nationally rare.

The site was awarded its first Green Flag in 2005, and again in 2006, in recognition of the quality, cleanliness, safety and wildlife value of the site. In recent years the park has seen several improvements including better signage, a small visitors centre and space for parking.

Several local groups such as the Model Boating Club, Burton Mutual Angling Association and the Wildlife Watch Group also use the park and information on these and other activities at the site are displayed on notice boards by the visitor’s centre.

Tags: branston water park, burton on trent

Return to InBurton.co.uk

This item is sponsored by: