Grays Beach Riverside Park has done it again, securing the prestigious Green Pennant Award, putting it on a par with the finest parks in the country.
On Wednesday (22 July), staff from Thurrock Council went to the Pavilion Theatre, Bournemouth, to pick up the award and the 2009 flag which will fly proudly from the park’s flagpole.
The park’s Summer Programme runs from 18 July to 31 August this year and it is open from 8am until dusk. Summer activities will be open between 11am and 5pm and include: Go-karts/Baby Cars/Iggly Wigglies; an inflatable maze or bouncy castle; the water feature (weather permitting); and adventure golf.
In addition, its massive sandy play area ― with Britain’s biggest play galleon ― offers hours of fun for young people and a café area for mums, dads and carers to watch over their charges.
Cllr Mike Revell, the council’s Cabinet member for Environment, said: “Grays Beach Park fully deserves this award, it’s national recognition for a superb facility.”
When Cllr Revell visited the park last week, he met Dutch couple Okey Ndubueze and Irma Zwarteveen and their two children Eche, three, and 11-month old Jide. They were visiting friends in Grays and came to the park to have some fun.
Cllr Revell added: “People come from miles away ― even the Continent ― to enjoy what’s on at the park and many of our own residents do too. If you haven’t visited — come along and see for yourself.”
The annual Green Pennant Awards recognise and reward the best community run parks in the country, and Grays Beach Riverside stood out, after impressing the judges with excellent facilities including well-managed green space, signage and amenities as well as the dedication of the local people.
The win comes at an exciting time in the development of the Green Flag and Green Pennant Award scheme that is now run by environmental charity, Keep Britain Tidy, GreenSpace and BTCV, who have been inundated by applications as parks value the coveted award.
Phil Barton chief executive, Keep Britain Tidy said: “I would like to congratulate this year’s winners, who have worked hard throughout the year to keep their parks to a high standard and ensure they are pleasant and enjoyable spaces for the whole community.”
