Lee Valley Regional Park awarded nine Green Flag Awards

Nine open spaces, gardens and heritage sites in Lee Valley Regional Park have retained a sought after international award. They are among 2,127 UK parks and green spaces that will today receive a prestigious Green Flag Award, the international quality mark for parks and green spaces.

During the past 18 months Lee Valley Regional Park’s open spaces and gardens have become lockdown lifelines, providing a much needed space for visitors to relax, exercise and safely meet with friends. Visitor numbers to our open spaces reached 9.2 million last year alone, an increase of 4.3 million from the previous year.

A Green Flag will continue to fly at the following sites across Lee Valley Regional Park:

• River Lee Country Park in Hertfordshire and Essex

• Walthamstow Marshes, in East London

• WaterWorks Centre Nature Reserve in Leyton, East London

• Bow Creek Ecology Park in Canning Town, East London

• Waltham Abbey Gardens, in Waltham Abbey, Essex

• Tottenham Marshes in North London

• Gunpowder Park in Waltham Abbey, Essex

• Rye House Gatehouse in Hoddesdon, Hertfordshire

• Myddelton House Gardens in Enfield, North London

In addition to retaining Green Flag status, Lee Valley Regional Park’s Myddelton House Gardens in Enfield has also achieved the much coveted Green Heritage Site Accreditation, supported by Historic England, in recognition of the Authority’s successful management of this historic venue.

Shaun Dawson, Chief Executive at Lee Valley Regional Park Authority said: “We are absolutely delighted to have retained the prestigious Green Flag Award for these treasured parks, heritage sites and open spaces.

“Our open spaces are playing a vital role in supporting the physical health and mental wellbeing of the diverse communities that visit us from up and down the valley, across London and further afield. These coveted awards are recognition of the hard work and dedication of our staff and volunteers, who work tirelessly to ensure that we are providing beautifully maintained spaces which meet the very highest standards.

“I am extremely proud of our staff who have gone above and beyond during these challenging times, coping with vast amounts of litter for example, to deliver beautiful spaces that everyone can enjoy.”

Each of Lee Valley Regional Park’s green spaces are free to the public to visit throughout the year, with the park offering visitors thousands of acres to explore on foot, by bike or by river.

ENDS

For more information, or hi-res images contact press@leevalleypark.org.uk