More than 150 parks in London have been awarded the prestigious Green Flag Award which recognises the best green spaces in the country. Parks are judged on how welcoming, safe and well maintained they are and must show a strong involvement from the local community.
This year a total of 743 sites received the award which is administered by The Civic Trust, of these 151 are located in the Greater London area. Winning sites in the capital include Little Harlington Playing Fields, Barra Hall Park and Churchfield Gardens in the borough of Hillingdon, Peckham Rye and Dulwich Parks in Southwark and Central Park in East Ham.
Eight sites including Hillingdon’s Ruislip Woods have also been awarded a Green Heritage Award. Ruislip Woods received the award in recognition for the excellent way the area is conserved and promoted.
Mary Worrall, Head of Highways and Green Spaces in the borough, said “We are so lucky in Hillingdon to have these beautiful woods and gaining a national award that recognises the hard work that goes into its upkeep and maintenance is brilliant news. I would like to congratulate everyone involved in looking after Ruislip Woods. This award also illustrates the council’s commitment to a greener and cleaner borough.”
Paul Todd of the Green Flag Award scheme said: “The increasing number of Green Flag Award winning parks and green spaces highlight the important role they play in bringing people together and improving their quality of life. Congratulations to all the management, staff, and in particular, thousands of volunteers whose hard work and dedication has brought this award of excellence.”
A further 18 spaces were awarded the Green Pennant Award which recognises high quality green spaces managed by voluntary and community groups.
The winning sites were announced yesterday (17th July) at Bellingham Green in Lewisham, an area of the borough highlighted by the government as an example of successful regeneration.
The Green Flag Award scheme is managed by te Civic Trust and Department for Communities and Local Government.
