City Commons’ work has won six Green Flag Awards

Seven green spaces in and around Croydon that are protected by the City of London Corporation have been awarded prestigious Green Flag status.

Coulsdon Common, Kenley Common, Farthing Downs and Riddlesdown as well as Spring Park and West Wickham Common in Bromley and Ashtead Common in Surrey received the award.

Six of the City Commons-managed spaces have also won the Green Heritage Awards in recognition of their historic features and high standards of conservation – the first being for Coulsdon Common.

The international award, which is carried out by the environmental organization Keep Britain Tidy, is monitored by an expert jury.

In its third decade, the awards are given to green spaces in recognition of their high environmental standards, levels of maintenance and visitor facilities. It rewards well-managed parks and green spaces, setting the standard across the UK and worldwide.

Success Stories: The Green Flag Awards are a significant recognition of the work of City Commons

Fifteen green spaces operated by the City Corporation were awarded the Green Flag this year and 14 more received Green Heritage accreditation.

Graeme Doshi-Smith, Chair of the Epping Forest and Commons Committee of the City of London Corporation, said, “These sites were a lifeline for visitors during the coronavirus pandemic, helping people find exercise and fresh air, and promoting both the spiritual as well as physical health.

“You are valued by our local communities and international visitors alike.

“I would like to thank our staff and volunteers for the excellent work they do to keep the sites at such a high level, to make them accessible to everyone and to give people the opportunity to explore nature.”

Comprising four separate registered charities, the Commons rely on revenue and public donations to protect 11,000 acres of pre-eminent environments that attract 2.5 million visitors annually.

They are receiving more than £ 2.5 million from the City Corporation to protect the sites that stretch from Burnham Beeches and Stoke Common in Buckinghamshire to the borders of south London, Croydon and Surrey, including Epping Forest and Hampstead Heath.

These websites, most of which are charitable foundations, operate at little or no cost to the communities they serve. These include important wildlife habitats, areas of special scientific interest, and national nature reserves. They are protected from overbuilding by special legal provisions.

Continue reading: Goats set up for their winter chores at Riddlesdown Quarry

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