HAVERING INCREASES THE NUMBER OF FIRST CLASS PARKS FOR THE FOURTH YEAR RUNNING

Two more parks in Havering have been awarded the prestigious Green Flag, the national standard for parks and open spaces, taking the borough’s total number to eight, an increase for the fourth year running.

The latest parks in the borough to be honoured with Green Flags are St Andrew’s Park, Hornchurch and Lawns Park, Collier Row.

The two new parks join; Harold Wood Park, Cottons Park (Romford), Bedfords Park (Havering-atte-Bower), Hylands Park (Hornchuch), Lodge Farm Park (Romford) and Upminster Park, which all retained the flags they were awarded last year.

To achieve Green Flag status, parks must meet a number of criteria including having a welcoming, safe and clean environment, attention has been paid to conservation and heritage, sustainable methods have been used to maintain the landscape and the community is involved with the park.

Councillor Michael White, Leader of Havering Council, said:

"I am delighted that Havering now has a grand total of eight Green Flag parks. Our aim last year was to increase the number of Green Flags the borough had once again and I am thrilled that we have achieved this goal."