Over 1,000 UK parks receive prestigious Green Flag Award

More than 1,000 green spaces were awarded the prestigious Green Flag Award today proving there has never been a better time to visit our country’s green spaces.

The Green Flag Award is the national standard for parks and green spaces in England and Wales and recognises and rewards the best green spaces in the country. 2009 has seen the standard of green spaces in England and Wales reach a landmark high with an increase of more than 200 new winners.

As the recession bites and people look closer to home to enjoy the outdoors, the provision of high quality, free open spaces is of particular importance. One of the most significant aspects of the Green Flag Award is that only green spaces that are free to enter and open to the public are eligible to win. The Award is a sign to visitors that a park has met strict criteria, which among other things require it to be a clean, safe and welcoming place to spend time.

The accreditation is a real achievement for the 1,013 winners, who were presented with their awards on Wednesday 22nd and Thursday 23rd July, by Michaela Strachan at the Pavilion in Bournemouth. In total 917 Green Flags and 96 Green Pennant Awards were presented.

Housing Minister Ian Austin said: “The Green Flag Award scheme is rewarding our best green spaces and encouraging others to achieve the same high standards.”

The Green Pennant Award is presented to green spaces that are managed by voluntary and community groups. These parks are judged on similar criteria to the Green Flag Award applications although special consideration is given to their achievements. This category often presents some of the most unique winners.

The North West had the highest number of winners this year with 225 Green Flag Awards and 12 Green Pennant Awards. The Greater London area had the second highest number of winners with 192 Green Flag Awards and 25 Green Pennant Award winners. It also boasted the highest increase of winners as 41 new green spaces were awarded, including Colliers Wood in Merton and Blackheath in Lewisham.

The results came at exciting time in the development of the Green Flag Awards, which is supported by Communities and Local Government (CLG) and is now run by a consortium of Keep Britain Tidy, GreenSpace and BTCV.

Other winners include 46 Green Flag Award winners who have also won a unique Green Heritage Site accreditation, that distinguishes them as sites of historical significance that provide visitors with effective information about the park’s past.

The Awards have been such a success in England and Wales that they are being piloted in Scotland, Northern Ireland and Holland, who already have 17 awards between them, and brought the total number of winners to over 1,000.

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Life is a beach at Bishops Park

Exciting plans to restore an urban beach in one of the most beautiful and historic parks in London have been announced by Hammersmith & Fulham Council.

In Edwardian times, families from across London descended on 'Margate Sands' in Bishops Park, Fulham, every summer. Hammersmith & Fulham Council now hopes to recreate that special seaside atmosphere.

The beach concept forms part of the council’s plans to rejuvenate both Bishops Park and the neighbouring Fulham Palace Walled Garden. And residents were able to have their say on the ambitious proposals at a special event at Bishops Park on Sunday June 21.

Once the council has finalised its designs for the both open spaces, it will apply to the Heritage Lottery Fund for up to £3.5m of funding.

As well as recreating the beach and restoring the ornamental lake, proposals on the agenda include:

• Refurbishing the famous Fulham Palace walled garden – This would see the vinery and bothy restored to support a working walled garden.
• Restoration of the picturesque historic stone bridge across the pond in the park.
• Restoration of the cafe building and its surrounds
• The extension of the stableblock in the Palace grounds to support a purpose-built education facility.

Cllr Paul Bristow, cabinet member for residents’ services, said: “Both Bishops Park and Fulham Palace grounds are of huge historic importance to the borough and these plans will see them reaffirmed as jewels in the Hammersmith & Fulham crown. Make sure that you attend the event on June 21 so that you can see our plans and comment on this hugely exciting project.”

The plans form part of the council’s ParkLife campaign – which sees the council improving the quality of life for all people who live, work and play in Hammersmith and Fulham by providing award winning parks and open spaces that are clean, green, safe and sustainable.

For more information and to view development proposals and comment online visit http://www.lbhf.gov.uk/ or www.citizenspace.com/local/lbhf/.