Mote Park named among UK’s best parks

Maidstone’s ever-popular Mote Park has once more been selected among the UK’s most popular parks and open spaces, being named in the ten most-loved spaces at the Green Flag People’s Choice Awards. More than 30,000 votes were cast over the last month for a diverse array of public parks throughout the UK, with Mote Park’s popularity among residents and visitors ensuring its position among this auspicious selection.

Organised by the Green Flag Award scheme, the People’s Choice category recognises those green spaces in the UK that are foremost in the popularity of public users. Parks throughout the UK were subsequently provided with a voting page for visitors to show their appreciation of the cleanliness, facilities, events, and overall appeal of the park. In years past, Mote Park has enjoyed the prestige of being named among the UK’s top three; however, in 2016, accolades were awarded – in no particular order – for the ten most popular venues.

“Mote Park truly represents one of the finest and most popular attractions in the borough of Maidstone,” said Councillor David Pickett of Maidstone Borough Council. “Thanks in no small part to the range of events and activities hosted throughout the year, plus the magnificent maintenance work and the efforts of volunteers at the park, we’re exceptionally proud that Mote Park has been named among the UK’s ten most popular public spaces.

“It can be easy to take for granted just how important Mote Park is to Maidstone. Whether it’s for those looking to experience nature and wide-open spaces, to picnic with the family or enjoy the water sports, or even to welcome internationally acclaimed events and concerts, Mote Park represents all that is great about the borough.”

Full list of winners

Park Name	Managing Organisation
Alexandra Palace Park	Alexandra Palace Charitable Trust
Arlington Square Gardens	Arlington Association
Clifton Park	Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council
Elsecar Park and Local Reservoir Nature Reserve	Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council
Margam Park	Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council
Millennium Country Park	Forest of Marston Vale Trust
Mote Park	Maidstone Borough Council
Strathaven Park	South Lanarkshire Council
Victoria Park (Tower Hamlets)	London Borough of Tower Hamlets
Warley Woods	Warley Woods Community Trust

International Green Flag Award Manager Paul Todd said: “We would like to congratulate Mote Park on being voted one of the UK’s ten favourite parks – it is quite an achievement.

“The Green Flag Awards are judged every year by an army of more than 800 volunteer judges, but the People’s Choice is the public’s opportunity to vote for their favourite parks and it is wonderful that more than 30,000 people have done just that this year as the scheme celebrates its 20th Anniversary.

“Winning a Green Flag Award is testament to the hard work of local authorities and the managers of public green space up and down the country along with hundreds of thousands of volunteers. More than 1,700 parks this year are flying the Green Flag Award and the People’s Choice Award shows them just how much that hard work is appreciated by the public.

“The People’s Choice Award also shows that communities value all their green space, not just traditional parks.”

In addition to offering an environment in which to unwind among stunning natural scenery, Mote Park also provides a host of activities and entertainment for all ages. From an all-weather play area to water sports facilities, and annual events such as charity fun runs, music festivals, nature trails and more, the extent of offerings from Mote Park guarantees that its place among Maidstone’s most popular attractions is assured.