Ashfield District Council is celebrating after seven of its parks received a coveted Green Flag Award for 2023 including a new award for Kings Mill Reservoir.

Six further parks across the District have also retained their Green Flag status – Portland Park, and Kingsway Park, Kirkby; Brierley Forest Park, and Sutton Lawn, Sutton; Selston Country Park; and Titchfield Park, Hucknall.

The Green Flag award is the international quality mark for parks and green spaces.

Over the past four years the council said it has invested more than £2m into parks and green spaces, improving play facilities, footpaths, accessibility, and enhancing natural environments.

Recent work at Kings Mill Reservoir includes the installation of two accessible pedestrian entrances, footpath improvements, restoration of the viaduct, refurbishment of the café and visitor centre, new signage, removal of old fencing, and creation of wildlife areas.

Kings Mill Reservoir is also home to one of the council’s £62.6m Towns Fund projects. Work has now started to extend the car park to create an extra 136 spaces to accommodate more visitors. The car park will complement the brand new purpose-built boathouse which will feature space for water sports equipment as well as a restaurant and function space.

Coun Samantha Deakin, executive lead for Parks and Environmental Services said: “Ashfield’s green and open spaces are important to our residents as places they can enjoy in their leisure time, visit with their friends and family or to exercise. Often a retreat away from the busy and demanding world, we are proud that seven of our parks have received these awards so a huge thank you to the teams for all the work they put in every year to maintain such high standards.”