Southwark parks get more Green Flags for fourth year in a row
Published 29 July 2011
Southwark parks now boast 10 Green Flags, up from eight last year and seven the year before.
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.
Two new open spaces in Southwark to be awarded this year are St Mary Frobisher in Peckham and Brunswick Park in Camberwell.
Meanwhile Peckham Rye, Dulwich Park, Southwark Park, Bermondsey Spa, Russia Dock Woodlands, Brimmington Park, Paterson Park and Sunray Gardens have continued to be awarded flags.
Green Flag winners are judged to be welcoming, safe and well maintained with the strong involvement of the local community. The award scheme was launched in 1996 and remains the only national benchmark for quality parks and green spaces.
Cllr Barrie Hargrove, Southwark Council's cabinet member for transport, environment and recycling, said:
"It's fantastic that we continue to notch up more green flags with every year, with our fourth consecutive increase. I'd like to pay tribute to the tireless work from parks staff, our contractors, and most of all, our Friends of Parks groups and voluntary sector partners. Having accessible green spaces where people can enjoy each other's company is important for families and for our community."
Phil Barton, Green Flag Plus Partnership chairman said:
"I would like to congratulate this year's winners, who have worked hard throughout the year to keep their parks and green spaces at a high standard and ensure they are pleasant and enjoyable spaces for the whole community.
"The Green Flag Award Scheme, and its growth, is essential in driving up the standards of our parks and green spaces. Access to quality green space is something we all desire and the scheme plays a key role in providing it.
"In these challenging financial times it is heartening that the number of Green Flag Awards continue to grow. As the value of green space and the role it plays in our communities strengthens, we must ensure these high standards remain."
Background Information
Green Flags are awarded on an annual basis and winners must apply each year to renew their Green Flag status.
The Green Flag Award scheme is managed by Keep Britain Tidy.
For information on all winners please visit the Green Flag web pages.
For more information on Green Flags in Southwark please contact Darell Carey on 020 7525 7307.
