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General Update
We are pleased to announce that the Kearsney Parks have been awarded the Green Flag award again. The Green Flag accreditation is an international quality mark for parks and green spaces and is testament to the hard work and dedication of the team caring for the parks. Kearsney Abbey and Russell Gardens have met the quality standard every year since the completion of the £3.1m Parks for People project in 2021 with National Lottery Heritage and Community Funds, (see the recent DDC Press Release).
The café is open until 5.30pm daily, offering its popular range of baked good, light bites and ice creams. The Billiards Room is available to hire for private events. For more information, please see the Kearsney Parks website.
The main car park in Kearsney Parks is open summer hours from 7am until 9pm and is locked overnight. Parking is free for up to 4 hours.
Please remember that fishing is not allowed anywhere in the parks, the Kearsney team had to catch one of our swans recently to remove a fishing hook and wire from its foot.
Model boats are only allowed in the lower lake in Kearsney Abbey. Please always be aware of the wildlife.
Wildlife
A young female kingfisher has been spotted in Mill End, Kearsney Abbey recently. The kingfishers tend to disappear from Kearsney during the breeding season as they breed further down the river. It is good to see them returning, please be careful when you visit the park, and always keep a respectful distance from the wildlife.
The young coots and moorhens continue to grow and can be seen in all three parks.
Please remember that even though dogs are allowed off the lead in some areas of the parks, they must always be under control.
Forthcoming Events
There will be a free workshop to hear from Southern Water and the Environment Agency, as they discuss their roles regarding the river. This will be held in the Billiards Room at Kearsney Abbey on 11 September from 5.30pm-7pm. Please book via www.whitecliffscountryside.org.uk/events/whats-on
Volunteering at Kearsney Parks
Volunteer tasks continue in the parks on a weekly basis. We meet in the café car park at 9.30am until 12.30pm, including a break for tea and doughnuts. We continue to carry out general maintenance in all three parks, including working on the grand border and the orchard in Russell Gardens. If you are interested in volunteering, and would like to be put on our database, please get in touch at kearsney.parks@dover.gov.uk
Photography
There are many great opportunities for taking photographs in Kearsney Parks, and we thank everyone for sending their fantastic photos to us. Please feel free to send photos in and we will try to use them in our publications, including the Kearsney Parks Calendar and on our social media. The amazing picture above was taken by Steve Elks.
Please send your photos to kearsney.parks@dover.gov.uk