The popular foreshore reserve, managed by Port Stephens Council, is one of just 13 green spaces across the nation to receive Parks and Leisure Australia’s top award.

“It’s really rewarding for Port Stephens to be one of the first regional councils to be acknowledged for our park management, and for Nelson Bay Foreshore to be seen as setting the benchmark for green spaces across Australia,” the council’s parks program coordinator, Michael Reay, said.

“The judges were also very impressed with concepts of the Nelson Bay Public Domain Plan, which aims to improve the links between the foreshore and town centre. 

“We take pride in our parks here in Port Stephens, and taking care of them is a real team effort, so it’s great to see all that hard work recognised.”

Around a quarter of a million people are estimated to visit the Nelson Bay Foreshore reserve each year.

In addition to the picnic and barbecue facilities, public amenities, kiosk and water sport equipment hire, the foreshore is a prime viewing spot for dolphins.

The Green Flag Award originated in the United Kingdom in the 1990s to raise the standard of green spaces and bring people back to parks.

The award scheme recognises and rewards well managed parks and reserves, and sets the benchmark standard for the management of recreational outdoor spaces.

The Green Flag Award judging process is rigorous, with applicants judged against 27 different criteria and an on-site inspection for finalists.

The award was presented to Port Stephens Council representatives that attended the International Parks and Leisure Congress in Melbourne on Tuesday, October 16.

Nelson Bay Foreshore joins an elite group. It is one of just 13 parks in Australia and one of the first outside a capital city to receive the Green Flag Award.

Until this year only parks in Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne had been awarded a green flag.