Six parks in Hammersmith and Fulham have been recognised in this year's Green Flag Awards, given to the country's best kept open spaces.

Ravenscourt Park, Frank Banfield Park and Margravine Cemetery have been awarded with Green Flag status for the third year in a row.

Normand Park has won the honour for the second year and St Peter’s Square in Hammersmith and Little Wormwoods Scrubs have both collected Green Flag Awards for the first time.

In addition, Loris Gardens and Godolphin Road Community Gardens have retained their Green Pennant Awards which recognise high quality green spaces that are managed by voluntary and community groups. Both of these gardens have been managed by the Hammersmith Community Gardens Association.

The Green Flag Award is the national standard for parks and is managed by Keep Britain Tidy. This year awards have been given to a record 1,288 green spaces across Britain.

Hammersmith and Fulham Council says it has pumped more than £6 million into our many picturesque parks and open spaces and these awards recognise the council’s commitment to ensuring its parks have excellent facilities and are maintained to the highest standard possible all year round.

Cllr Greg Smith, cabinet member for residents’ services, said: "This is excellent news for Hammersmith & Fulham residents. Providing top quality, beautiful parks and open spaces is one of this council’s number one priorities and we are delighted to have won six Green Flags  when back in 2009 we did not have any.

" I am particularly pleased that St Peter’s Square in Hammersmith and Little Wormwoods Scrubs can now be added to our Green Flag stable."

To win these Green Flag Awards, the council had to present a management plan to demonstrate that each park is welcoming, healthy, safe, clean and well-maintained. In addition, the council had to prove that  management of each site is carried out in an environmentally sound manner, with conservation of natural features, wildlife and historic buildings.

Most importantly, the council had to demonstrate how residents are involved in their local park. Hammersmith & Fulham has been instrumental in establishing "Friends of" groups which enable local residents to sustain and enhance their park as a place of natural beauty and public pleasure in partnership with local authorities.

The council says it is keen to see new friends groups established for a number of open spaces including Frank Banfield, Cathnor, Hurlingham and Hammersmith Parks plus Eel Broom Common in Fulham.

 

July 26, 2011