The quality of Barking and Dagenham parks have been given the thumbs up, as seven of the borough’s parks have won prestigious Green Flag Award - the nationally recognised standard for excellent parks. 

Judges gave the award to Barking Park, Beam Parklands, Eastbrookend Country Park, Greatfields Park, Mayesbrook Park, St Chads Park, as well as new addition Tantony Green, taking into consideration a list of qualities including cleanliness, safety, community involvement, management and conservation.

Councillor Saima Ashraf, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Community Leadership and Engagement, said: “We’re delighted to have secured seven prestigious green flag awards for our wonderful parks which we know are so loved by many. It’s a fantastic achievement and just goes to show the hard work and dedication of staff and volunteers, who work so tirelessly to maintain our parks and open spaces, has really paid off.

“A special thank you to all our borough’s brilliant volunteers who give up their free time year on year to carry out projects such as litter picking, planting bulbs, organise and participate in Friends of Parks groups, and so much more.

“While we continue to invest in and maintain our parks to ensure they remain accessible and enjoyable for everyone, I encourage residents to make the most of the great outdoors and the wonderful facilities on offer.”

Councillor Kashif Haroon, Cabinet Member for Public Realm and Climate Change, added: “Our parks provide great benefits for the environment and all of us, and we’re very proud that they have been recognised in this way.

“We’re committed to maintaining our borough’s beautiful green spaces as part of our drive to make Barking and Dagenham a cleaner, greener place to live.”

A full list of Green Flag Award-winning parks and green spaces is available here.