Epping Forest has been awarded the prestigious Green Flag Award for the 22nd consecutive year, recognising it as one of the very best managed green sites in the world.
The award identifies and rewards well-managed parks and green spaces, setting the benchmark standard for the management of recreational outdoor spaces across the UK and around the world.
The Forest was assessed by an independent panel of judges on several criteria, including accessibility and signage, safety, cleanliness, quality of facilities and activities, community engagement, and how the management of the site is helping to combat the effects of climate change.
Epping Forest has also received Green Heritage Site Accreditation, in recognition of its publicly accessible historic features, high standard of conservation, and for being one of the few remaining extensive ancient forests in western Europe.
Chairman of the City Corporation’s Epping Forest and Commons Committee, Ben Murphy, said:
“Looking after one of the UK’s best conserved green spaces is no mean feat. I am delighted that ‘the Green Lungs of London’ have once again lived up to its name by winning these important awards.
“Every year, the judges’ standards continue to rise. These awards demonstrate just how effective our management plans are in protecting and preserving Epping Forest for future generations to enjoy. It also shows how the Corporation’s investment is having a real impact on local communities, in and around our capital city.
“I would like to thank both our hard-working staff and passionate team of volunteers, who are the real winners of this award.”
The Forest, and its adjacent ‘Buffer Lands,’ cover an area of around 8,000 acres, which is roughly nine times the size of New York’s Central Park, and attracts more than 10 million visitors per year.
It is of national and international conservation importance, containing two registered historic parks, eight listed buildings and four scheduled ancient monuments.
Two thirds of Epping Forest is designated as a nationally important Site of Special Scientific Interest and an internationally designated Special Area of Conservation for habitats, including ancient wood-pasture, old grassland plains, and heathlands.
It provides access to a range of facilities for sport and recreation such as walking, running, cycling, horse-riding, angling, football, cricket and golf. There are three visitor centres, a museum, and more than 100 ponds and lakes.
A recent report revealed that Epping Forest is worth around £64.4 million a year in public benefits, with a present value of £1.9 billion over 50 years.
The report also shows that the site delivers the highest benefit-to-cost ratio of all City Corporation-managed open spaces at 20.2, which means that for every £1 spent on service provision, the Forest delivers £20.20 in public benefits.
The Corporation manages a network of 11,000 acres of internationally important open spaces across London and southeast England – including Hampstead Heath, and West Ham Park – investing over £38m a year.
Many of these sites operate as charitable trusts and are run at little or no cost to the communities they serve.
Together, they include a wide variety of critically important wildlife habitats, Sites of Special Scientific Interest, Special Areas of Conservation, and National Nature Reserves, and are protected under legislation.
ENDS
Notes to editors
The Corporation is the governing body of the Square Mile, dedicated to a vibrant and thriving City, supporting a diverse and sustainable London within a globally-successful UK – .
The Green Flag Award® scheme is run by the environmental charity, Keep Britain Tidy and sets the benchmark for the management of outdoor spaces across the UK and around the world – www.keepbritaintidy.org/green-flag-award.
Green Heritage Site Accreditation, supported by Historic England, is given in recognition of achieving the required standard in the management and interpretation of a site with local or national historic importance.
To receive Green Heritage Site Accreditation sites must also achieve Green Flag Award – www.historicengland.org.uk/advice/technical-advice/parks-gardens-and-landscapes/green-flag.
Full list of Corporation Green Flag Award Winners:
- Epping Forest
- Ashtead Common
- Bunhill Fields
- Burnham Beeches National Nature Reserve
- Cemetery and Crematorium
- Coulsdon Common
- Farthing Downs & New Hill
- Hampstead Heath
- Highgate Wood
- Kenley Common
- Queen’s Park
- Riddlesdown
- Spring Park
- West Ham Park
- West Wickham Common
Full list of Corporation Green Heritage Site Accreditations:
- Epping Forest
- Ashtead Common
- Bunhill Fields
- Burnham Beeches National Nature Reserve
- Cemetery and Crematorium
- Coulsdon Common
- Farthing Downs & New Hill
- Hampstead Heath
- Highgate Wood
- Kenley Common
- Queen’s Park
- Riddlesdown
- West Wickham Common
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