Published: Wednesday, 18th July 2018

Flags from the internationally recognised awards for the best green spaces are still flying at 12 of the Royal Boroughs parks and open spaces.

Twelve parks and open spaces, directly managed and maintained by the Council, have been awarded the prestigious Green Flag Award for the sixth year in a row. Those recognised vary from traditional parks with formal flower gardens, spaces packed with sporting facilities to those featuring unique watery nature reserves.

The Council has paid tribute to residents from the Park Friends Groups and other local volunteers whose hard work to enhance parks and open spaces was a major factor in securing the awards.

The Green Flag Award, now celebrating its 22nd year, recognises the best green areas across the country and the world. The award, which is an international mark of quality, is a sign to the public that a park or open space boasts the highest possible environmental standards, is beautifully maintained and has excellent visitor facilities.

Local community groups

Local community groups were also recognised for their hard work and devotion to parks and open spaces with four Community Green Flag Awards:

  • Plumstead Common Environment Group won Community Green Flags for maintaining the Slade Ponds, Plumstead Common Nature Reserve and Workhouse Wood
  • Twinkle Park Trust won a Community Green Flag award for Twinkle Park and Charlotte Turner Gardens which are both in Deptford
  • Charlton Manor Primary in Indus Road won a Community Green Flag for their Secret Garden.

Parks with the Green Flag Award

Judges from the awards independently inspect and score sites on their attractiveness, cleanliness as well as heritage and sustainability. The 12 parks which retained the Green Flag Award, are:

  • Avery Hill Park in Eltham
  • Blackheath (awarded jointly with the London Borough of Lewisham)
  • Charlton Park
  • Eaglesfield Park in Plumstead
  • East Greenwich Pleasaunce
  • Eltham Park North and Eltham Park South (as one site)
  • Fairy Hill Park in Eltham
  • Horn Park in Lee
  • Maryon Park in Charlton
  • Sutcliffe Park in Eltham
  • The Tarn in Eltham
  • Well Hall Pleasaunce in Eltham.

'Make the best of these free attractions'

Councillor Miranda Williams, Cabinet Member for Culture, Leisure and the Third Sector, said: "We are absolutely delighted that we have secured our 12 Green Flag Awards for the sixth year in a row. Retaining these internationally recognised awards show our steadfast commitment to maintaining our parks and open spaces to the highest standards and providing excellent facilities for residents and visitors to enjoy.

"I would like to thank the many committed residents from our Friends of Parks groups and other volunteers for their tireless hard work to help us continually enhance our green spaces and keep the Green Flags flying over them.

"The diverse parks and open spaces across Royal Greenwich are fantastic assets for the whole community and I urge everyone to make the best of these free attractions on their doorsteps."

'Proud to have so many wonderful green spaces'

Paul Todd, International Green Flag Award scheme manager, said: "It has been a record-breaking year for Green Flag Awards, and it's fantastic to see such a diverse range of locations have been recognised. We are proud to have so many wonderful green spaces in the UK for people to experience, and encourage the public to head outdoors, explore their local area and find even more unexpected green spaces."

Find out more about the Royal Borough's award winning parks and how to get involved in a local Friends of Parks Group