Record number of parks flying the Green Flag
Fourteen parks in Havering are now recognised by the Green Flag Award Scheme in what has been the best year ever for the borough.
This year has seen Langtons Gardens in Hornchurch join the elite list of parks awarded a Green Flag by environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy.
A Green Flag flying is a sign to residents and visitors that the park or open space is among some of the very best in the world, boasting the highest possible standards, is well maintained and has excellent facilities.
Havering Council has seen the previous 13 parks in the borough retain their status for another year, with Langtons Gardens achieving the award for the first time.
The record-breaking number of Green Flags comes as the borough marks Love Parks Week [13-22 July].
A number of events are taking place in Raphael Park in Gidea Park this week, to celebrate and you can find out more by visiting https://www.facebook.com/RaphaelEvents/
Councillor Osman Dervish, Cabinet Member for Environment, said:
“This is the most successful year ever, we are absolutely delighted to receive Green Flag Award for Langtons Gardens for the first time as well as retaining the awards for our other 13 parks, some of which have held this status now for over a decade.
“We know what our parks and open spaces mean to our residents and visitors. The Green Flag awards are also recognition of all the hard work put in by council staff as well as members and volunteers from the friends of parks groups. This dedication has been rewarded and our parks can be enjoyed by everyone across the borough.”
Havering’s 14 Green Flag parks are among a record-breaking 1,797 UK winners.
Havering’s Green Flag status parks are:
- 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
- Harrow Lodge Park
- Haynes Park
- Langtons Gardens
Paul Todd, International Green Flag Award scheme manager, said: “We are delighted to be celebrating another record-breaking year for the Green Flag Award scheme, with more Green Flags awarded this year than last year.
“Each flag honours the thousands of staff and volunteers who work tirelessly to maintain the high standards demanded by the Green Flag Award. We are proud to have so many wonderful green spaces in the UK for people to enjoy, and hope that next year, we award even more flags.”