Green Flag Awards

These are the National Standards for Parks and Open Spaces. More information can be found on the website: www.greenflagaward.org.uk.

About the scheme

The Green Flag Award is the national standard for parks and green spaces in England and Wales. The award scheme began in 1996 as a means of recognising and rewarding the best green spaces in the country. It was also seen as a way of encouraging others to achieve the same high environmental standards, creating a benchmark of excellence in recreational green areas.

While the standards for the Green Flag Award are high, each application is considered on its own merits. It is recognise that every green space has its own unique character and this is reflected in the assessment process. All sites receive a personal visit from highly experienced and respected judges to assess suitability for an award. Judging is conducted on a points system and any entry that reaches our benchmark standard is eligible to fly a prestigious Green Flag.

The Award acknowledges high standards of park facilities, including maintenance and community engagement. A Judge allocated by the Civic Trust, examines a park using a set criteria.

Successful parks and green spaces are eligible to fly the ‘Green Flag’ for 1 year after which they have to re-apply to retain the award. However, a park or green space must maintain and improve on previous standards to be guaranteed a subsequent award. Results are announced in late July.

The London Borough of Richmond upon Thames currently has two Green Flag Awards.

Current Green Flag parks - awarded 2007

• Twickenham Green
• Hatherop Park

Green Flag Award parks - applications 2008

• Twickenham Green
• Hatherop Park
• Palewell Common & Fields
• York House Gardens

An announcement will be made in late July 2008 as to whether these parks have been given a Green Flag Award.

Management Plans

Each site must have a Management Plan for it to be entered into the award scheme.

• Twickenham Green(pdf, 1747KB)
• Hatherop Park(pdf, 1830KB)
• Palewell Common & Fields(pdf, 1966KB)
• York House Gardens(pdf, 2126KB)

More information on Green Flag Awards

For information on Richmond Council’s Green Flag Awards please contact the Parks Department

Telephone: 08456 122660
Email parks@richmond.gov.uk