Latest parks updates

We undertake a continual programme of work to enhance our parks and open spaces.

View the latest parks update for most recent projects carried out.

Project updates

Summary of projects for 2023-2024: Completed projects (pdf, 152 KB)

Customer Satisfaction Survey

Our Parks Customer Satisfaction Survey has found that 93% of residents are happy with the parks services in the borough.

This survey takes place every two years and aims to assess overall satisfaction with local parks and highlight any areas for improvement.

The 2023 survey found that Council-managed parks and open spaces in the borough continue to operate to a high standard with a general satisfaction among residents of 93%.

Significantly, 94% of respondents rated the ease of access in parks as excellent, good or satisfactory while 90% of respondents said they felt safe in our parks.

Read the full 2023 Parks Customer Satisfaction Survey.

Notice of Court Proceedings for Unauthorised Encampment Injunction

By Claim Form and Application Notice dated 25th September 2024, issued in the High Court of Justice under Claim Number: KB-2024-003315, the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames (the Council) has applied for an interim and final Injunction pursuant to Section 222 of the Local Government Act 1972 and/or Section 187B of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 to prohibit Persons Unknown from forming an unauthorised encampment, entering to occupy for residential purposes or depositing waste, at any of the following sites:

Ham Lands
Ham Riverside Drive Open Space
Ham Riverside Pitches
Kew Green
Old Deer Park
Richmond Green
Ham Common, and
King George’s Field

Notice of Interim Injunction Order

On 22nd November 2024 Mr Justice Freedman in the High Court of Justice in Claim No. KB-2024-003315, granted an interim Injunction Order (the Order) to the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames (the Council), pursuant to Section 222 of the Local Government Act 1972 and Section 187B of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990.

The Order prohibits Persons Unknown:

from forming an unauthorised encampment or, entering to occupy for residential purposes; or
depositing waste;

at any of the following sites:

Ham Lands
Ham Riverside Drive Open Space
Ham Riverside Pitches
Kew Green
Old Deer Park
Richmond Green
Ham Common
King George’s Field

A sealed copy of the Injunction Order is included in the Court papers at the link below and is also available for inspection at the Council’s offices at Civic Centre, 44 York Street, Twickenham TW1 3BZ.

Notice of hearing

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT the Court will consider the Council’s application for a final Injunction Order at the Royal Courts of Justice, Strand, London WC2A 2LL on 13 February 2025. (The judge and the exact time of the hearing will be published in the High Court Cause List the working day before to the hearing).

Copies of the Court Proceedings are available for inspection at the Council’s offices at Civic Centre, 44 York Street, Twickenham TW1 3BZ, or can be read online:

The Council’s solicitors are: South London Legal Partnership, Merton Civic Centre, London Road, Morden SM4 5DX (Reference: LEG/BB/337/196).

Paul Chadwick, Executive Director of Environment & Community Services London Borough of Richmond upon Thames.

Greening Richmond Schools

With support from the Parks team, Let's Go Outside and Learn have helped eight schools draw up an action plan to green their school grounds. The aim of the project is to develop new species-rich habitats within schools to support our biodiversity action plans. Each school received £500 to support them in completing their action plan.

Read more about the Greening Richmond Schools project.

Lower Crane Valley Management Plan

We are pleased to announce the publication of the Lower Crane Valley Management Plan. It sets out, subject to funding, an initial five-year programme for large scale improvements to the biodiversity and community value of the Crane Valley in Richmond.

We have worked closely with local community groups, including Friends of the River Crane Environment (FORCE), to produce this plan.

Read the Lower Crane Valley Management Plan.

Asian hornet sightings

Following a recent confirmed sighting of an Asian hornet in East London, we are asking residents to report any sightings of this type of hornet.

Find out more about how to identify Asian hornets and report your sightings.

Throw line boards installed

We have installed 16 throw line boards throughout the borough along the River Thames. These contain lifesaving equipment and instructions for use in emergencies. We now have the most boards out of all London boroughs.

View a map showing the location of throw line boards in Richmond.

Emergency wildlife contacts

The Biodiversity team have compiled a list of emergency contacts for our local wildlife.

Open space assessment 2023

A recent open space assessment was undertaken by Knight, Kavanagh & Page Ltd to review open spaces including parks in the borough.

Read the Open space assessment.

Tree updates

Find out more about trees in the borough and our tree policy.

Grass cutting programme and shrub and hedge maintenance

The grass verges we maintain have been re-categorised into urban highway, rural highway verges. This is in an effort to increase biodiversity and reduce our carbon footprint.

Find out about our approach to managing grass verges and see what category verges by your home belong to.

Shrub beds across the borough are maintained roughly every six weeks during the growing season and hedges will be cut once or twice per year depending on growth.

We are also introducing ‘Pollination Stations’ in the form of natural grass areas in parks and open spaces. Find out more about our approach to managing Pollination Stations.

Integrated Pest Management Policy

The Parks team have implemented the management policy below in regard to pest management in Parks and Open Spaces.

View Integrated Pest Management Policy (pdf, 197 KB)

Towpath management from Kew to Beverley Brook

Alongside the Port of London Authority, we have created a wooded towpath management plan from 2022 to 2036.

The management plan seeks to unify the approach to managing and maintaining the bank and towpath environment for the future. The plan focuses on tree and woodland management whilst considering the wider ecology, heritage and user matters.

Tree works are due to start in February 2023. The majority of the works will be carried out without any closures with diversions directing users to alternative routes.

Read the full management plan (pdf, 4.5 MB).

Wildflower Meadow Programmes

For the last few years we have been establishing a number of wildflower meadow projects across the borough.

See the latest update on Wildflower Meadows (pdf, 197 KB).

Services and facilities

The following services and facilities are available in our parks.

Shade and shelter

We permit the use of private awnings and open sided gazebos (2x2 metres) in our parks and open spaces for the use of shade and shelter. Closed gazebos and marquees are not permitted.

Dog play areas

We have two sites in the borough which have specific dog play areas, one is in North Sheen Recreation Ground and the other is a new 'Bark Park' at Chase Green. Dog walking is welcomed within our other parks and open spaces, such as Palewell Common and Sheen Common and many others.

However, all parks and open spaces are controlled by a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) which imposes various restrictions to dog control.

Japanese knotweed

Japanese knotweed (Fallopia japonica) is an invasive species that originates from Japan and parts of Asia. Originally brought over by the Victorians to add to their plant collections, it has since thrived and without its natural predators spread throughout the English countryside. Due to its vigorous growth (through tarmac and concrete) and spread, combined with its resilience to treatment, it has become a major problem and rapidly out-competes our native plants reducing biodiversity.

For information on how to control and remove Japanese knotweed please visit GOV.UK.

If you identify Japanese knotweed on Council land, please contact us with as many details as possible (and if possible a photo) so that we can take the necessary steps to remove it.

Contact the Parks department

Send your comments and feedback about our projects to:

Email: parks@richmond.gov.uk
Telephone: 020 8891 1411

Up to: Improvements and conservation in Richmond's parks and open spaces

Updated: 16 July 2025

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