Four Brent parks awarded coveted Green Flag Award

Four of Brent’s parks have received the prestigious Green Flag Award after achieving the international quality mark for parks and green spaces.

Preston Park and Mapesbury Dell were recognised in this year’s awards, alongside King Edward VII Park and Bramshill Open Space – both of which have achieved the award for the second year running. It comes as the internationally recognised standard for parks and green spaces celebrates its 30th year.

The Green Flag Award scheme, managed by environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy under contract from the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government, recognises and rewards well-managed parks and green spaces, setting the benchmark standard for the management of green spaces across the United Kingdom and around the world.

Krinkels UK, the council’s grounds maintenance contractor, are responsible for maintaining Brent’s parks and green spaces, alongside the council’s Parks service, ‘Friends of’ groups, and organisations like the Mapesbury Dell Trust.

Cllr Promise Knight, Cabinet Member for Cleaner Streets, Transport & Public Realm, said: “These awards are an extremely well-deserved recognition of the hard work the Mapesbury Dell Trust, ‘Friends of’ groups, Krinkels UK and the Parks team puts into maintaining and improving parks and green spaces across Brent, and I’m pleased that we have achieved twice as many awards as last year as we come into the summer months.

"We remain committed to opening up green spaces for everyone in Brent and enjoying the benefits that come with spending time with friends and family outdoors.”

Paul Todd MBE, Green Flag Award Manager at Keep Britain Tidy, said: “Parks are essential public spaces that support our wellbeing, our communities and our economy. Yet for millions of people, particularly in the most deprived areas, local parks simply don’t feel safe or welcoming.

“With public services under pressure, investing in parks is not a luxury, it’s a practical, preventative solution and one of the most visible ways to improve people’s quality of life. Congratulations to everyone involved."

Alongside the four award winners, Brent is home to 116 parks, open spaces, and sports grounds, from local ‘pocket parks’ to the 112-hectare Fryent Country Park.