West Ham Park wins Green Flag

West Ham Park, the largest open space in the London Borough of Newham, has won the prestigious Green Flag Award, recognising it as one of the best-managed parks in the world.

That’s because the venue, which has been managed by the City of London Corporation since 1874, celebrated its 150th anniversary last weekend (Saturday 20 and Sunday 21 July 2024) with a festival packed with music, sport and family fun.

The protected area attracts 2.2 million visitors a year and provides important wildlife habitats including wildflower meadows, long grasslands, gardens and ponds, as well as a breeding ground for a wide variety of birds.

It has 12 tennis courts, three cricket nets, football pitches and a grass running track which is used by local schools for sports days in the summer months. There is a large children’s play area – recently upgraded for £750,000 – as well as a bandstand, historic ornamental gardens and a communal vegetable garden.

Caroline Haines, chair of the council’s West Ham Park committee, said:

“West Ham Park is a vibrant and beautiful place where people of all ages, faiths and backgrounds come together. It is a vital part of the community and offers a variety of recreational opportunities, educational programs and a serene environment where people can relax, enjoy and spend time in nature.

“It is the jewel in the crown of East London and I am incredibly proud of our hardworking staff and The Friends of West Ham Park for all they do to keep it in such great condition all year round.”

The City of London Corporation protects over 11,000 hectares of green space in London and the South East of England, investing over £38 million annually.

Many of these institutions operate as charities, providing little or no cost to the communities they serve.

They include a wide variety of vitally important wildlife habitats, Sites of Special Scientific Interest, Special Areas of Conservation and National Nature Reserves, which are protected by legislation.

A recent report found that West Ham Park generates £9.9 million in benefits to society each year and has a cost-benefit ratio of 11.7. This means that every £1 spent on maintenance generates £11.70 in public benefits.

ENDS

Notes to Editors

The City of London Corporation is the governing body of the Square Mile, committed to a vibrant and thriving city, supporting a diverse and sustainable London within a globally successful UK. www.cityoflondon.gov.uk.

The Green Flag Award® scheme is run by environmental organisation Keep Britain Tidy and sets the benchmark for outdoor space management in the UK and around the world. www.keepbritaintidy.org/green-flag-award.

Full list of City of London Corporation Green Flag Award winners:

• West Ham Park
• Common Ashtead
• Bunhill Fields
• Burnham Beeches National Nature Reserve
• City of London Cemetery and Crematorium
• Coulsdon Common
• Epping Forest
• Farthing Downs and New Hill
• Hampstead Heath
• Highgate Forest
• Kenley Common
• Queen’s Park
• Riddlesdown
• Spring Park
• West Wickham Parish