Havering Council has successfully retained its 16 Green Flags in parks for the fifth year in a row.
A Green Flag Award means the parks boast the highest possible standards, are well maintained, must be inviting, clean, plus provide a healthy environment where visitors feel safe, plus have excellent facilities.
The recognition is awarded by environmental charity, Keep Britain Tidy.
As the Council looks supports Love Parks Week (25 July to 3 August 2025), the borough’s parks are once again being celebrated for what they bring to residents and visitors alike.
From green open spaces and village greens to vast country parks,
Havering has an abundance of wildlife making their homes in the many parks.
They also have facilities to play a number of sports, including tennis courts, as well as nature conservation areas and more.
The parks are also judged on how safe they are.
This includes addressing issues like litter, vandalism, and ensuring facilities are well-maintained and safe for use for everyone.
This latest achievement of Green Flags is a reward for the efforts of parks and ground maintenance staff.
It is also recognition for the community groups that the Council work in partnership with.
This includes Friends of Parks groups and other volunteers, who help maintain the parks to a high standard all year round.
Councillor Ray Morgon, Leader of Havering Council, said:
“I would like to thank our parks and ground maintenance staff, enforcement staff and Friends of Parks groups and all our volunteers.
"As it is due to their hard work that we have once again, retained all our Green Flag awards.
“We’re very proud of our parks and a Green Flag means we are providing areas of green space which are safe, secure and enjoyable for everyone.
“We hope that everyone visiting our parks can also help us by not dropping litter and take pride in the wonderful green spaces we have.”
The upkeep of our parks is also part of the Council’s flagship campaign, Where We Live
Our campaign encourages residents and community groups to work with us to make the borough a cleaner and safer place to be.
Green Flag Award Scheme Manager, Paul Todd MBE, said:
“Congratulations to everyone involved in Havering who have worked tirelessly to ensure that it achieves the high standards required for the Green Flag Award.
“Quality parks and green spaces like in Havering, make the country a heathier place to live and work in, and a stronger place in which to invest.
“Crucially, Havering is a vital green space for communities to enjoy nature, and during the ongoing cost of living crisis it is a free and safe space for families to socialise.
“It also provides important opportunities for local people and visitors to reap the physical and mental health benefits of green space.”
Havering's Green Flag status parks are:
- Hornchurch Country Park
- Spring Farm Park
- Bedfords Park
- Upminster Park
- Hylands Park
- Lodge Farm Park
- Cottons Park
- Harold Wood Park
- St Andrews Park
- Lawns Park
- Raphael Park
- Central Park
- Rise Park
- Langtons Gardens
- Harrow Lodge Park
- Haynes Park