Islington is celebrating a record number of Green Flag awards – demonstrating the quality of parks and open spaces across the borough.
The prestige scheme recognises the best green spaces in the country, with a panel of judges testing tough standards.
This year, Whittington Park, N19, has been handed the accolade for the first time.
The green space, off Holloway Road, recently hit the headlines when an "al fresco" gym was installed for fresh-air workouts. A new education wildlife pond and meadow is also being created.
King Henry's Walk Garden, N1, was also awarded its first "Green Pennant" – a national award that recognises high quality green spaces managed by voluntary and community groups.
Cllr Ruth Polling, Islington Council's Executive Member for Leisure and Equalities, said: "These awards show how far we have come. Our parks are now welcoming, safe, well-maintained and involve the local community in how they're run.
"Improvements are not limited to these parks. Standards across Islington's green spaces continue to rise with major investment across our borough.
"This is so important in a densely-populated borough like Islington where many residents don't have access to private gardens. High-quality parks really improve our quality of life and I'm proud that so many of our green spaces have been recognised as excellent."
Other parks in Islington to gain Green Flag status are Spa Fields, EC1, Paradise Park, N7 Royal Northern Gardens, N7, Fortune St Park, EC1, Edward Sq, N1, Newington Green, N1 and Gillespie Park, N5.
Culpeper Community Garden also retained its "Green Pennant".
Special praise was also heaped on Newington Green which retained its Green Heritage Site award, one of only 42 in the country. The scheme, sponsored by English Heritage, is an award recognizing superb upkeep of historic sites.
To find out more about the Green Flag Award scheme visit www.greenflagaward.org.uk
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For more information please call Chris Weeks on 020 7527 3032
PICTURE CAPTION (L-R): Bhupesh Thapa (Ranger); Celia Parlak (Ranger); Mike Franks (Friends of Spa Fields); Cllr Ruth Polling, Islington Council's Executive Member for Leisure and Equalities; Cllr Barry Edwards (Friends of Paradise Park); Islington Mayor Stefan Kasprzyk; Morgan Pegg (Council officer); Shandrina Burgess (Ranger); Mark Rowe (Horticultural Officer); Elizabeth Evans (Chair of Culpepper Community Garden); Jenni Chan (Friends of Paradise Park); James Gilchrist (Head of Greenspace).
Page Last Updated: 04 September 2008