Environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy has announced today, Monday, that four Teignbridge parks have again received the prestigious Green Flag international quality mark.

The Green Flag Award scheme, managed by environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy, recognises and rewards well-managed parks and green spaces, setting the benchmark management standard for green spaces across the United Kingdom and around the world.

Cllr John Nutley, Executive Member for Open Spaces, Leisure, Sport, Resorts and Tourism welcomed the announcement.: 'I am delighted that once again the fantastic work of our staff in maintaining these wonderful open spaces has been recognised.

'To keep winning a green flag year on year is no mean feat, especially given the huge numbers of residents and visitors attracted to the parks week by week.'

The parks – Courtenay Park and Decoy Country Park in Newton Abbot, Homeyards Botanical Gardens in Shaldon and the Den in Teignmouth – all offer something slightly different:

  • Courtenay has a sensory garden, a bandstand and a tree trail
  • Decoy has a lake supporting water sports and a deciduous woodland with a trim trail incorporated into it
  • Homeyards offers fantastic views of Teignmouth across the river and the East Devon and Dorset coastline as well as a castle, pond, rill garden and an Italianate rockery, a tree trail and poetry trail.
  • The Den has a large, award winning refurbished children's play area plus a multi-use games area, a tennis court, and activity trail and a history trail.

Cllr Nutley said: 'I would like to thank all staff for their fantastic work in maintaining these parks and also the many volunteers who make a tremendous contribution, as well as our residents for playing their part in following the rules and doing everything they can to avoid anything that might do the parks harm.'

Nationally some 2,216 parks and green spaces have received the green flag accreditation.

Keep Britain Tidy’s Green Flag Award Scheme Manager Paul Todd MBE said: 'I would like to congratulate everyone involved at these sites in achieving a Green Flag Award.

'These are vital green spaces for the community, bringing people together and providing opportunities to lead healthy lifestyles.

'The staff and volunteers do so much to ensure that it maintains the high standards of the Green Flag Award and everyone involved should feel extremely proud of their achievement.'