Nine local parks - three more than last year - have been honoured with Green Flag Awards by Keep Britain Tidy.

Parks from across the borough - Hammersmith Park in Shepherd's Bush, Hurlingham and South Parks in Fulham and Norland North on the Edward Woods Estate have all won their maiden Green Flags.

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

Normand Park has won the honour for the third year while St Peter’s Square in Hammersmith has collected a Green Flag Award for the second time.

They are among 260 parks and green spaces across London, and 1,424 across the UK, to be given the award in 2012 by Keep Britain Tidy.

Paul Todd, Green Flag Award Scheme Manager, says: "We are thrilled to announce yet another record-breaking year for Green Flag Award parks and green spaces. A Green Flag Award provides national recognition for the achievements of all those whose hard work and dedication has helped to create these fantastic places for all to enjoy."

To win these Green Flag Awards, H & F 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 Brook Common in Fulham.

The parks will now be able to raise their Green Flags during Love Parks Week which runs from July 21 - 29.

 

July 18, 2012