Parks and gardens make up a large area of green space within Hastings and can be outstanding for wildlife and play a crucial role in the conservation of some species. Some of the wildlife highlights of parks and gardens include toothwort in Alexandra Park, purse-web spiders (Atypus affinis) at White Rock Gardens, and great crested newts in garden ponds.
Seven species of orchid have been recorded growing in parks and gardens in Hastings and St Leonards and include broad-leaved helleborine, autumn lady’s-tresses, common twayblade, early-purple orchid, green-winged orchid, bee orchid, and common spotted orchid.