A COUNTRY park in the Tamar Valley has been recognised as one of the best green spaces in the country. Kit Hill Country Park has been awarded a prestigious Green Flag national award from environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy, which recognises and rewards the best parks and green spaces across the country. The award is a sign to visitors that the space boasts the highest possible standards, is beautifully maintained and has excellent facilities. Owned by Cornwall Council and managed by Cormac Solutions Ltd, Kit Hill covers 400 acres of land and has been shaped by more than 5,000 years of human activity. Kit Hill Country Park was one of seven open spaces owned by Cornwall Council that was awarded the Green Flag. Edwina Hannaford, Cornwall Council's portfolio holder for environment, heritage and planning said: 'Huge congratulations to everyone involved with Kit Hill Country Park and to all of our Green Flag winners. 'This is a prestigious award and I'm delighted that seven popular parks and open spaces in Cornwall have Green Flag status. 'This is great recognition for staff and volunteers who work so hard to make sure these well-used and much-loved locations can continue to be popular with local residents and visitors of all ages.' Early on, Kit Hill was used for agriculture and religious purposes then more recently exploited for stones and minerals. It is home to a wide range of flora and fauna and features a former quarry, mine and engine shaft as well as the summit shaft built in 1858 for the Kit Hill Great Consols/Kit Hill United mining complex. Now it is used for recreational purposes with walking trails, horse trails and a popular place for bird watching, kite flying and picnics. If you would like to vote for Kit Hill Country Park to be your favourite Green Flag park, visit http://www.greenflagaward.org.uk">www.greenflagaward.org.uk and register your vote for the annual People's Choice Award.