'A fantastic achievement' for volunteers in South Acton

Heathfield Nature Garden

Heathfield Nature Garden will join more than 1600 green spaces across the UK flying the Green Flag Award. The flag is a sign that identifies the park for its high standard of maintenance and facilities. Heathfield Nature Garden is the first recipient in the South Acton Ward and brings the total number of Green Flag Parks in Ealing to 18, an all-time high for the borough. Five years ago Ealing had none.

Tatiana Collins, outgoing Chair of the Mill Hill Park Residents’ Association said: ‘this is a fantastic achievement for South Acton and is the result of a large amount of hard work and commitment by a lot of people, most of whom are volunteers. From drafting grant applications to putting in the hard labour to plant the community orchard, the thanks for getting this award go to a very large group of people. We have a healthy pond, a new children’s playground and a flower meadow to encourage wildlife diversity. Heathfield Nature Garden is now an asset to the local community. So it is really encouraging that a national scheme, such as the Green Flag Scheme, has recognised the changes and improvements in South Acton, which are all going to make it a better place to live’.

The Green Flag Award scheme, which is managed by Keep Britain Tidy, celebrates its 20th anniversary this year. Other award recipients in Ealing include Acton Park, North Acton Playing Fields and Southfield Recreation Ground. In total, 1,686 parks, cemeteries, universities, shopping centres and community gardens have met the high standard needed to receive the Green Flag Award or Green Flag Community Award, the quality marks for parks and green spaces.

The awards are judged by an army of more than 700 green space experts, who volunteer their time to visit applicant sites and assess them against eight strict criteria, including horticultural standards, cleanliness, sustainability and community involvement.

Green Flag Award scheme manager Paul Todd said: “We are delighted to be celebrating another record-breaking year for the Green Flag Award scheme, especially as we celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Awards.

Councillor Bassam Mahfouz, cabinet member for transport, environment and leisure, said, "Along with our great parks teams, there are hundreds of volunteers who work with them to create spaces which people can enjoy. Congratulations to them all, these flags are testament to your passion and commitment to make this borough a great place to live and visit.”

The Green Flag awards scheme is run by the environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy.

August 3, 2016