Redbridge residents were overjoyed to learn that Redbridge parks are once again being recognised for the prestigious Green Flag award. In Redbridge, we are fortunate to have 50 parks and open spaces where visitors can enjoy walks, children’s play areas, outdoor gyms, cafes or simply relax within the beautiful natural surroundings.
The Green Flag Award recognises and rewards well-managed parks and green spaces, setting the benchmark standard for the management of green spaces across the United Kingdom and around the world. In a record-breaking year for the award, as the scheme marks its Silver Jubilee, 2127 parks are celebrating, including 9 of our very own.
The Redbridge parks to achieve Green Flag status for 2021/22 are:
Our premier park, Valentines Park is amongst the wonderful parks to receive this award. The park is a popular spot for visitors who can enjoy a range of facilities within the park plus our Grade II* listed building, Valentines Mansion. Another park to receive the award is one of our biggest country parks, Hainault Forest. The forest is currently under a huge restoration project which will see improvements to the site’s ecology and natural habitats, create a new visitor hub and facilities, developments to the farm and much more.
Martin Solder, Chair of Trustees for Vision said:
“I am delighted that we have achieved accreditation for nine Green Flag parks in the borough again. Our green space is so important to local people and I am incredibly proud of all of our staff who work tirelessly to ensure that they are well maintained for our customers to enjoy on a daily basis.”
In addition to the Green Flag award, all nine parks have been automatically entered into the People’s Choice Award – where the public are asked to vote for their favourite park in the country. For the past two years, residents of Redbridge have come together and successfully voted Valentines Park into the Top Ten parks, beating off the tough competition. Valentines Park has been in the Top Ten six times since 2012. Voting is now open and closes on 14 November 2021, with the top ten winning sites announced at a virtual awards ceremony on the 23 November 2021.
For more information visit: www.visionrcl.org.uk/greenflag