Praise for our parks

Tuesday July 27, 2010

Four local parks are raising a green flag after being named some of the UK’s best open spaces.

Ravenscourt Park (pictured), Frank Banfield Park, Normand Park and Margravine Cemetery have all scooped coveted green flag awards, putting them on a par with the best parks in the country.

Margravine Cemetery, Ravenscourt Park and Frank Banfield Park were the first borough parks to win green flag awards last summer.

All three have retained their flags, while Normand Park has received the coveted honour for the first time.

The green flag award is the national standard for parks and is managed by Keep Britain Tidy.

H&F Council has pumped more than £6m into its parks and open spaces recently. Normand Park reopened in July 2008 following £3million of improvements – including ping pong tables, climbing walls and sand pit.

Margravine Cemetery’s rich variety of trees attracts at least 25 species of bird, including the great spotted woodpecker, the long-tailed tit and the goldfinch.

Frank Banfield Park in Hammersmith has also seen major improvements in recent years, and was officially reopened in October 2008.

It now features a new children’s play area, landscaping, improved railings and gates and new benches.

The beautiful walled rose garden in Ravenscourt Park also turned the heads of the judges.

Meanwhile, Loris Gardens, Godolphin Road Community Gardens and Phoenix City Farm have won green pennants, which recognise high quality green spaces that are managed by voluntary and community groups.

The local ‘friends of’ groups, which enable residents to sustain and enhance their park in partnership with local authorities, was also cited by judges.