Wray Crescent keeps its Green Flag

We were thrilled last year to have contributed to achieving the first ever Green Flag Award for Wray Crescent Park.

While we have nowhere to hoist that flag, it is nice to know that all the hard work we have done across the last few years to put beauty and community at the heart of the space has been recognised.

That means we are equally pleased that Wray Crescent has retained its Green Flag status again this year, and joins eight other Islington parks in gaining this coveted status.

Making the best of our green spaces

Given that Islington has less green space than any other council borough in the UK, we think this is an achievement for all concerned.

Islington’s Green Flag parks now include:

• Wray Crescent
• Caledonian Park
• Landseer Gardens
• Fortune St Park
• Gillespie Park
• Highbury Fields

and now also includes, new this year:

• Arundel Square
• Rosemary Gardens
• Whittington Park.

In addition, Arlington Square and Paradise Park won Green Flag Community Awards, which celebrate spaces managed by voluntary and community groups.

This year, Islington’s public outdoor spaces have been more important than ever, providing space for people to exercise, relax and socialise, who may have been cautious about the spread of coronavirus in indoor settings. “The increased popularity of the borough’s green spaces has created extra work for the fantastic volunteers, community groups, and council staff who keep them looking clean, tidy and beautiful for everyone,” says the Islington Council press release announcing the news.

What the Green Flag award said

Green Flag Award Scheme Manager, Paul Todd, said:

“I would like to congratulate everyone involved in making these sites worthy of Green Flag Awards.

“To meet the requirements demanded by the scheme is testament to the hard work of the staff and volunteers who do so much to ensure that the spaces have high standards of horticulture, safety and environmental management and are places that support people to live healthy lives.”

What the council said

Cllr Rowena Champion, Islington Council’s Executive Member for Environment and Transport, said:

“We are committed to making Islington a cleaner, greener and healthier borough. With the realities of the climate emergency becoming clearer every day, it is more important than ever to enhance our green spaces and to support the amazing range of wildlife that exists on our doorsteps. These Green Flag Awards are recognition of the steps we are taking to protect our natural environment.

“Our parks and green spaces are tremendous assets to the borough and our communities, allowing people to enjoy nature and the outdoors, and it’s fantastic to have Green Flag’s endorsement. We know how important these spaces are in supporting the health and well-being of people in Islington, especially those without their own private outdoor spaces, providing opportunities for formal and informal sport and leisure.

“We are so grateful for the outstanding efforts of council staff, volunteers and community groups, who have risen to the challenges of the past year and kept our green spaces looking beautiful.”