Volunteering at the Award-Winning Kent Country Parks

A blog brought to you by Kent Country Park’s Marketing Officer – Jenny Poole

Kent Country Parks recently retained all 8 Green Flag awards for Brockhill, Grove Ferry, Lullingstone, Manor Park, Pegwell Bay, Shorne Woods, Teston Bridge and Trosley. In celebrating the news, Kent Country Parks are recognising the important part volunteers play in making the parks award winning parks.

Feedback from a judge at Green Flag recognises the hard work of volunteers at Shorne Woods:

“This is a gem of a park, which supports a large number of visitors.  The staff are enthusiastic and knowledgeable, which is evident in the quality of the woodland management and are supported by a great core team of volunteers.”

Some of the recent projects across our parks include:

• Monthly Bumblebee transect and monitoring at Brockhill Country Park
• Creating and maintaining the beautiful volunteer garden at Shorne Woods
• Installing a new piece of play equipment at Trosley Country Park
• Installing new meadow fencing at Brockhill to better manage grazing
• Cutting back paths and tracks to improve access
• Helping to install our Early Settlers play area for educational sessions at Lullingstone

Our volunteers come out, rain or shine, to assist our Rangers to make the parks an enjoyable place for all. We asked our volunteers what motivated them to volunteer with us.

Neil from our West Kent volunteering team says: “Volunteering with KCP is my ‘green gym’ – it’s great exercise in the fresh air, and I always come back from a day with the rangers in a great mood. I also get a real sense of achievement in contributing to the upkeep of the county’s natural resources. There’s stacks of variety in what we’re asked to do, though no-one is pushed to do anything they might be uncomfortable with. I’ve learnt lots of practical skills and the rangers and fellow volunteers are great company.”

Moira, also from West Kent agrees: “This is my green gym. Keeps me fit, varied activities and above all I get to meet lots of nice people.”

Ray from the East Kent team says: “After many years visiting Brockhill Country Park with my wife, children and grandchildren an opportunity came up when I retired, being invited to join the Brockhill volunteer group. I felt using the park over many years with my family, seeing other families playing, having fun, others walking and sitting with picnics, drinks and food at the café, it was time for me to volunteer my help with the team of fellow volunteers to keep the park tidy, safe and a lovely park to visit as it is today.”

Kent Country Parks also provide opportunities for corporate volunteering days – if this is something you would be interested in, please get in touch.

To find out more about volunteering at Kent Country Parks please call 03000 414747 or email country@kent.gov.uk