Green Flag success

There are currently 16 Green Flag sites:

• Barra Hall Management Plan 2010 [2Mb]
• Churchfield Gardens Management Plan 2010 [4Mb]
• Cowley Recreation Management Plan 2010 [3Mb]
• Cranford Park Management Plan 2010 [5Mb]
• Fassnidge Park Management Plan 2010 [1Mb]
• Harefield Village Green Management Plan 2010 [2Mb]
• Hillingdon Court Park Manangement Plan [2Mb](New for 2010)
• Lake Farm Country Park Management Plan 2010 [4Mb]
• Little Britain Lake Management Plan 2010 [780kb]
• Little Harlington Playing Fields Management Plan 2010 [1Mb]
• Minet Country Park Management Plan 2010 [4Mb]
• Norman Leddy Gardens Management Plan 2010 [2Mb]
• Ruislip Woods management plan [6Mb] 
• Uxbridge Common Management Plan 2010 [2Mb]
• Warrender Park Management Plan 2010 [3Mb]
• Yiewsley Recreation Management Plan 2010 [3Mb](New for 2010)

In 2010 the fourteen existing sites in the borough retained their awards. These were Barra Hall Park, Churchfield Gardens, Cowley Recreation Ground, Cranford Park Countryside Park, Fassnidge Park, Harefield Village Green, Lake Farm Country Park, Little Britain Lake, Little Harlington Playing Fields, Minet Country Park, Norman Leddy Memorial Gardens, Ruislip Woods , Uxbridge Common, and Warrender Park.

In addition 2 new sites have also been awarded Green Flag status for the first time - Hillingdon Court Park and Yiewsley Recreation Ground.

The applications demonstrate our continuing commitment to providing high quality green spaces in the borough (see Council Plan).

What was done to get Green Flag status?

The awards were the result of a long and continuing partnership between local community groups and the council's Green Spaces Team. This began with preparing management plans for each area, detailing their history, maintenance and any future plans.

Each site was rigorously inspected by the green spaces team using the Green Flag criteria to see how they could be improved.This involved continuous consultation with the management advisory groups and local residents.

What does Green Flag status mean?

The successful parks meet the Green Flag criteria and are recognised for being safe and welcoming, providing good facilities and are maintained to a high standard.

Having Green Flag status sets a standard not only for all green spaces in the borough but also for the co-operation between the Green Spaces Team and community groups. It also means that the Green Flag parks will be more likely to attract outside funding

What is the Green Flag Award?

The Green Flag Award is the national standard for parks and green spaces in England, Wales and Scotland. The scheme, which is managed by the Civic Trust, began in 1996 and was developed so that the best green spaces in the country could be recognised and rewarded.

To be awarded a Green Flag, parks and green spaces must meet the following Key Criteria. These points must also be demonstrated in a management plan.

1. A welcoming place
   For example, the site should have safe access for all and there should be signage/interpretation in the site
2. Healthy, safe and secure
   Equipment on site must be safe and the whole site be safe and secure with limited anti-social behaviour, for example. Health and safety policy and dog fouling also needs to be addressed.
3. Clean and well maintained
   To be aesthetically pleasing, litter and cleansing (including graffiti removal) regimes must be in place and the site should be maintained to a high standard
4. Sustainability
   Management of the site should be carried out in an environmentally sound manner, including resource conservation and waste recycling, and limited use of pesticides.
5. Conservation and heritage
   Management should include appropriate conservation of natural features, wildlife and historic/structural features of buildings
6. Community involvement
   Active encouragement of involving the community should be evident, facilities for recreation be provided and knowledge of user groups should be demonstrated (e.g. a user survey).
7. Marketing
   The site should be well promoted and information should be provided to users (e.g. events).
8. Management
   Planned management of the site must be documented in a management plan. It must address all of the above issues and other aspects as necessary including financial

The judging process involves two steps. The management plan for the site must be submitted for judging and then a visit is made by the judges to assess the site and its management.

The award is given for one year; a site already holding a Green Flag must be re-judged each year to ensure that high standards are maintained.

Further information

Further information on the Green Flag Awards Scheme can be obtained from the Green Flag Award website or from the Civic Trust. Please contact us for any other information required about our sites.

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