Stratford Park strikes gold again in the Heart of England in Bloom awards
Stroud District Council’s Stratford Park has been awarded gold once again in the prestigious Heart of England in Bloom awards.
Celebrated by judges for ‘offering something for everyone’, the park is an accessible and inclusive space, thanks to voluntary groups who have helped the park thrive alongside Ubico which maintains the grounds.
The 56-acre park is owned and managed by Stroud District Council. Special areas of achievement were the arboriculture of the park, collaboration with local community groups, the wildflower underplanting in the woods, the walled garden and orangery.
The assessor for Heart of England in Bloom said:
“Stratford Park in Stroud, Gloucestershire, is a wonderful community park offering something for everyone. The park features a large lake, a leisure centre complex, and even a museum, all set within beautifully maintained planted areas. The mix of formal planting, meadow areas, and mature plants makes this park an inviting space for people of all ages.
Stratford Park is clearly a popular central spot for the local community and visitors alike, offering a variety of experiences that make it a perfect destination for a day out. Its well-deserved gold award is a testament to the hard work and dedication of those who maintain and contribute to this lovely space.”
Located just outside Stroud town centre, Stratford Park is home to Active Lifestyles Stroud leisure centre, the Museum in the Park, a recently renovated children’s play area, sensory garden, skate park, bandstand, rich woodland and lake. The sensory garden, introduced by Stroud Valleys Project has been a fantastic addition, providing a multi-sensory experience with an array of sounds, sights and textures, including an arch, a labyrinth and a wheelchair-friendly garden zone.
The park hosts a multitude of free and low-cost community activities, such as the weekly parkrun, operated by volunteers, as well as nature trails available through the Discover Stroud app and Music in the Park during warmer months. In the festive period, there will be a free-of-charge Christmas event, ‘Winter Woodland’, for families to enjoy on Sunday 15 December 1pm – 6pm.
Councillor Chloe Turner, Chair of Environment Committee at Stroud District Council said:
“Stratford Park is a treasured outdoor space for Stroud residents and visitors, giving people a beautiful, nature-rich and accessible place to exercise and enjoy. Providing accessible and high quality leisure opportunities that meet everyone’s needs is a key priority in our Council Plan.
“Congratulations to everyone who helps maintain and improve the park, including the community groups that contribute to, and benefit from it.”
Beth Boughton, Managing Director at Ubico said:
“We are delighted with the result of the ‘Heart of England in Bloom’ award. At Ubico, we take immense pride in keeping the spaces and places where people work and visit clean, green and tidy. Stratford Park is a wonderful place to visit and I would like to extend my gratitude to our hard working team, our colleagues at Stroud District Council, and the volunteers who dedicate their time to maintaining these beautiful spaces, making them a pleasant place for residents and visitors to visit.”
This is yet another prestigious award for the park, which has won the Green Flag Award on multiple occasions and a Special Innovation Award for Community Involvement.
To find out more about Stratford Park visit: https://www.stroud.gov.uk/sport-leisure-parks/parks-green-spaces/stratford-park/
To find out more about the Heart of England Britain in Bloom awards visit: https://heartofenglandinbloom.org/
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