Redbridge has once again received official recognition for having nine of the best parks in the UK by Keep Britain Tidy. 2,227 parks nationwide have been honoured with the prestigious Green Flag Award, which recognises and rewards well-managed parks and green spaces, across the UK.
Vision Redbridge Culture & Leisure the managing operator on behalf of Redbridge Council have continued to sustain this international quality mark for parks and green spaces for thirteen consecutive years. To achieve this accreditation year on year is a testament to Vision RCL parks team’s hard work and dedication in maintaining these green spaces so that visitors and residents alike can enjoy them.
Amongst these wonderful Redbridge parks to receive this award is Hainault Forest, voted as one of the Top Ten parks in the UK for the first time in the People Choice Awards 2023. Following the completion of £7m restoration project funded by National Lottery Heritage Funding alongside grants from London Borough of Redbridge, Greater London Authority, Garfield Western, and Kusuma Trust. The new and improved facilities at Hainault Forest has seen a huge increase in visitors to the site.
Also, to achieve the award is our premier park, Valentines Park, very popular with visitors all year round with lots of facilities available including children’s play areas, multiple tennis courts, Outdoor Gym and Grade II* listed building – Valentines Mansion and Gardens. Also new plans approved to build new Lido, 25-metre six-lane swimming pool, children’s splash pad, café, dance/studio to open in autumn 2025.
The other successful Green Flag parks in Redbridge are:
- Claybury Park
- Clayhall Park
- Elmhurst Gardens
- Goodmayes Park
- Ilford War Memorial
- Seven Kings Park
- South Park
Chair of Vision Trustees, Martin Solder, said:
“We are delighted to have earned nine Green Flag Awards for our parks in Redbridge. These parks and open spaces are a vital part of the Redbridge community, and we deeply value the ongoing support from all the volunteers and Vision RCL parks team who maintain our sites to such high standards. I extend my heartfelt thanks to everyone involved.
The People’s Choice Awards will be announced soon, please remember to vote for your favourite award-winning Redbridge Park.”
The Deputy Leader of Redbridge Council and Cabinet Member for Finance and Regeneration, Cllr Kam Rai, said:
“We’re delighted that our parks have been recognised once again in these prestigious awards. To achieve Green Flag status for nine of our local parks is a testament to the hard work of our park staff, who brave all weathers to keep our beautiful parks in such pristine condition, and park visitors who respect our green spaces by not littering.
“Our parks offer us the perfect escape from the stresses and strains of modern life and a place where we can spend time with friends and family at little expense whilst improving our physical and mental health.
“That’s why we’ve invested in so many of our green spaces across the borough over recent years. We’ve resurfaced tennis courts in Valentine’s Park and built new playgrounds while our dedicated parks team work around the clock, maintaining flower beds and caring for our trees, lakes, and walkways in parks and gardens.
“The council and Vision will keep working to improve our parks, but we need everyone to play their part in helping to care for them.”
Keep Britain Tidy’s Green Flag Award Scheme Manager, Paul Todd MBE, said:
“I would like to congratulate everyone involved in Redbridge on achieving a Green Flag Award for nine parks.
Redbridge Parks are vital green space for communities to socialise, enjoy nature, for children to play safely and it provides important opportunities for park users to improve their physical and mental health.
We know that staff and volunteers work tirelessly to ensure that it maintains the high standards of the Green Flag Award, everyone involved should feel extremely proud of their achievement.
It is important that our free to use spaces are maintained to the Green Flag Award standard, making them accessible for all members of the community while ensuring the environment is protected.”
The Green Flag Award scheme, managed by environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy under licence from the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government, 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.
For more information please visit the Green Flag Award website.
