Several open spaces managed by the Corporation in south London have been awarded the prestigious Green Flag Award, recognising them as some of the very best managed 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 accolade was won by Farthing Downs, Riddlesdown, and Coulsdon and Kenley Commons in Croydon, and West Wickham Common and Spring Park in neighbouring Bromley.
Each site was assessed by an independent panel of judges on several criteria, including accessibility and signage, safety, cleanliness, community engagement, and how the management of the site is helping to combat the effects of climate change.
They comprise six out of eight sites in the local area to win the award; five of which also received Green Heritage Status, in recognition of their historic features and high standard of conservation.
In total, they cover an area of 275 hectares, which is roughly the size of 390 football pitches, and are protected from being built on by special legislation.
Many of them are Sites of Special Scientific Interest or Sites of Nature Conservation Importance, and make up the South London Downs National Nature Reserve.
Chairman of the City Corporation’s Epping Forest and Commons Committee, Ben Murphy, said:
“Peppered across south London, every one of these green spaces offers something unique, whether it’s the exceptionally rare heathland of West Wickham Common, or Farthing Downs, home to the largest ancient scheduled monument in Greater London.
“Every year, the judges’ standards continue to rise. These awards demonstrate just how effective our management plans are in protecting and preserving these open spaces 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 Corporation manages a network of 11,000 acres of internationally important open spaces across London and southeast England – including Epping Forest, 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.
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.
A recent report revealed that the network of internationally important open spaces managed by the City Corporation are worth £282.6 million each year in benefits to society, and £8.1 billion over 50 years.
In total, they attract over 47 million visitors every year – more than three times the number who go to Premier League football matches every season, and almost eight times the number of annual visitors to the Grand Canyon.
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:
- Coulsdon Common
- Farthing Downs & New Hill
- Kenley Common
- Riddlesdown
- Spring Park
- West Wickham Common
- Burnham Beeches National Nature Reserve
- Ashtead Common
- Bunhill Fields
- Cemetery and Crematorium
- Epping Forest
- Hampstead Heath
- Highgate Wood
- Queens Park
- West Ham Park
Full list of Corporation Green Heritage Site Accreditations:
- Coulsdon Common
- Farthing Downs & New Hill
- Kenley Common
- Riddlesdown
- West Wickham Common
- Burnham Beeches National Nature Reserve
- Ashtead Common
- Bunhill Fields
- Cemetery and Crematorium
- Epping Forest
- Hampstead Heath
- Highgate Wood
- Queens Park
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