Barking and Dagenham is celebrating after seven of its parks and green spaces retained the prestigious Green Flag Award – the international quality mark for well-managed parks and green spaces.
This year’s Green Flag Award winners are Greatfields Park, Mayesbrook Park, St Chad’s Park, Barking Park, Beam Parklands, Eastbrookend Country Park and Tantony Green.
The awards recognise parks that are welcoming, safe, well maintained and managed to high environmental standards, providing valuable spaces for residents and visitors to enjoy throughout the year.
The seven Green Flag Award-winning sites highlight the council’s ongoing commitment to investing in its green spaces, ensuring they remain places where people can exercise, relax, connect with nature and enjoy the outdoors.
Councillor Simon Perry, Cabinet Member for Culture, Heritage and Leisure, said: “Our borough’s much loved parks offer places for recreation, sport, play and relaxation. These spaces make a real difference to people’s everyday lives.
“Receiving seven Green Flag Awards is a fantastic achievement and reflects our commitment to providing high-quality parks that everyone can be proud of. I’d like to thank our staff, volunteers and local communities, whose continued support helps make these spaces so special.”
Councillor Kashif Haroon, Cabinet Member for Environment and Climate Change, said: “It’s fantastic to see our borough’s parks recognised for their excellence. The Green Flag Awards reflect the hard work, expertise and dedication of our parks and grounds maintenance teams, who care for these spaces every day, whatever the weather.
“We remain committed to ensuring residents can enjoy attractive, well-cared-for green spaces.”
Paul Todd MBE, Green Flag Award Manager at Keep Britain Tidy, said: “Parks are essential public spaces that support our wellbeing, our communities and our economy. Yet for millions of people, particularly in the most deprived areas, local parks simply don’t feel safe or welcoming.
“With public services under pressure, investing in parks is not a luxury, it’s a practical, preventative solution and one of the most visible ways to improve people’s quality of life.
“Barking and Dagenham have shown what can be achieved when parks are properly supported and managed. As we celebrate 30 years of the Green Flag Award, we want every community to have access to green spaces like this that are safe, welcoming and maintained to a high standard.
“Congratulations to everyone involved."
The Green Flag Award scheme, managed by Keep Britain Tidy, recognises the very best parks and green spaces across the UK and around the world.
Residents are encouraged to explore the borough’s seven award-winning parks and experience everything they have to offer, from open green spaces and wildlife habitats to play areas, sports facilities and scenic walking routes.