The Oval Wins Prestigious Green Flag Community Award!

 We’re absolutely thrilled to announce that The Oval Bandstand & Lawns has been awarded a Green Flag Community Award, the international quality mark for well-managed parks and green spaces.

This national recognition celebrates excellence in community-led green space management, and it’s a testament to the incredible work of our volunteers, local residents, and the team at GRASS Cliftonville CIC.

The Oval is now Margate’s only Green Flag accredited park, and just the second in Thanet to achieve this honour — alongside Ellington Park in Ramsgate. Our award recognises community-run spaces that are safe, welcoming, environmentally sustainable, and actively supported by their local community.

The judging panel praised The Oval’s transformation since 2021, highlighting the park’s welcoming feel, improved accessibility, sustainability efforts, and the wide range of community programmes offered year-round.

The Oval Bandstand & Lawns is entirely managed by GRASS Cliftonville CIC, a not-for-profit social enterprise that took on stewardship of the site in 2021. GRASS receives no local authority funding or long-term public sector support for the day-to-day operation of the park. From mowing the lawns and trimming hedges to planning large-scale events, managing waste, and coordinating volunteer sessions — the site is maintained entirely through the dedication of a small team of staff and committed local volunteers.

The award is a powerful acknowledgement of just how much has been achieved on limited resources. Located in one of the UK’s most deprived wards, The Oval now serves as a shining example of how community action can restore and sustain high-quality public spaces without relying on traditional funding models. GRASS has created a space where people can connect with nature, take part in inclusive activities, and contribute to a shared vision for a greener, healthier future.

The Green Flag judges commended GRASS for its inclusive ethos, sustainable landscaping, and ambitious community-led projects such as the Wellness Garden, Tiny Forests, and the Oval Ecology Hub. The site was described as “a flagship example of community-led enterprise that benefits all parties.”

Paul Todd MBE, Green Flag Award Scheme Manager, said:
“Congratulations to everyone involved in The Oval Bandstand & Lawns who have worked tirelessly to ensure that it achieves the high standards required for the Green Flag Award. Parks and green spaces like The Oval are essential — especially during the ongoing cost of living crisis — providing free, safe, and welcoming places for families to connect with nature and for communities to come together.”

Since 2021, GRASS has led a remarkable regeneration effort — turning a neglected four-acre seafront site into a vibrant community venue that hosts festivals, wellness classes, ecology projects, markets, and family events throughout the year.

This award also recognises the incredible work of The Oval Ecology Group, who volunteer every Friday to care for the gardens. We’re also enormously grateful to:

• MPS (Mears Group) for donating skilled labour and completing major infrastructure works
• The Thanet Green Party for their support during hedgerow planting days
• The Tree Council and Woodland Trust for supplying and funding our hedgerow projects
• Local sponsors and donors who have contributed plants and materials
• And of course, our visitors, who make The Oval the special place it is today

The GRASS team will be heading to Bath later this week to collect the award — and we’ll be bringing it back to Margate with pride! 🏆

This recognition places The Oval among the very best community-managed green spaces in the country and supports our future ambition to maintain Green Flag status as we continue to improve and grow.

Want to get involved or learn more about our ecology work? 👉 Visit our Ecology Projects page