Borough tops green flag charts
HILLINGDON Council has topped the charts for an eighth year in a row in being recognised for its parks and green spaces.
The west London borough has broken its own record against all other local authorities in the country for winning the highest number of Green Flag awards.
A total of 60 parks in the borough were listed by the annual Green Flag Awards, which judges public spaces across the UK on cleanliness, being community-orientated and environmentallyfriendly.
Of the 60 recognised, 59 of the parks are run by Hillingdon Council.
It also beats last year’s award number of 55 borough parks being included on the prestigious list.
Newly praised parks were Fairway Recreation Ground, Stonefield Park, Field End Recreation Ground, Highgrove Woods and Hale Field Park.
The borough’s finance chief, Cllr Jonathan Bianco, said: “This is fantastic news and we are absolutely thrilled.
“Green Flags are the highest honour awarded to parks or green spaces and we are delighted to have received a further five flags this year.
“We prioritise investment in our parks and this year’s success reflects our ongoing commitment.
“We have more than 200 green spaces across the borough for our residents and visitors to enjoy and they bring huge physical and mental health benefits.
“During lockdown in particular they were vital, especially for residents without gardens.
“Community groups, volunteers and council staff work incredibly hard to keep the borough looking so welcoming and attractive.
“These awards are a fitting recognition of their contributions.”
Also in west London, 22 parks were awarded Green Flags in the borough of Ealing and 15 were presented to parks in Hounslow.
These included Acton Green Common, Lammas Park, Southall Manor House Grounds in Ealing, and Bedfont Lakes Country Park, Chiswick Back Common and Feltham Green in Hounslow.
Ealing Town Hall was illuminated in green on October 14 to celebrate the achievement.
Ealing’s environment boss Mik Sabiers added: “If nothing else, the Covid-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of our parks and open spaces in contributing to our health and wellbeing as spaces to relax, walk, exercise and play.
“Along with our great parks teams, there are hundreds of volunteers who work with them to create spaces which people can enjoy. Congratulations to them all.”