Nine Redbridge Parks have been awarded the Coveted Green Flag Award—officially recognised for being the best parks in the country since 2011!

Redbridge has once again received official recognition from Keep Britain Tidy for having nine of the best parks in the UK.

Over 2,000 parks nationwide have been honoured with the prestigious Green Flag Award, which recognises and rewards well-managed parks and green spaces across the UK. 

Vision Redbridge Culture & Leisure, the managing operator on behalf of Redbridge Council, have continued to sustain this international quality mark for parks and green spaces for thirteen consecutive years.

Achieving this accreditation year after year is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the staff who create these green spaces so that visitors and residents alike can enjoy them. 

Among the beautiful Redbridge parks to receive this award is Hainault Forest, voted one of the Top Ten parks in the UK for the first time in the People Choice Awards 2023. Following the completion of the £7m restoration project with funding from Redbridge Council, National Heritage Lottery Fund, GLA Good Growth Fund, and the Garfield Weston Foundation, the new and improved facilities at Hainault Forest have seen a massive increase in visitors. 

Valentines Park, one of our premier parks, also achieved the award. Valentines is very popular with visitors all year round and has many facilities, including children's play areas, multiple tennis courts, an outdoor gym, and Valentines Mansion and Gardens, a Grade II* listed building. Plans were also recently approved to build a new Lido, a 25-metre six-lane swimming pool, children's splash pad, café, and dance/studio to open in autumn 2025. 

The nine award-winning Redbridge parks are: 

• Claybury Park 
• Clayhall Park
• Elmhurst Gardens 
• Goodmayes Park
• Hainault Forest
• Ilford War Memorial 
• Seven Kings Park 
• South Park 
• Valentines Park

The Deputy Leader of Redbridge Council and Cabinet Member for Finance and Regeneration, Cllr Kam Rai, said: "We're delighted that our parks have been recognised once again in these prestigious awards. To achieve Green Flag status for nine of our local parks is a testament to the hard work of our park staff, who brave all weathers to keep our beautiful parks in such pristine condition, and park visitors who respect our green spaces by not littering.

"Our parks offer us the perfect escape from the stresses and strains of modern life and a place where we can spend time with friends and family at little expense whilst improving our physical and mental health.

"That's why we've invested in so many of our green spaces across the borough over recent years. We've resurfaced tennis courts in Valentines Park and built new playgrounds while our dedicated parks team work around the clock, maintaining flower beds and caring for our trees, lakes, and walkways in parks and gardens.

“The council and Vision will keep working to improve our parks, but we need everyone to play their part in helping to care for them."

Chair of Vision Trustees, Martin Solder, said: "We are delighted to have earned nine Green Flag Awards for our parks in Redbridge. These parks and open spaces are a vital part of the Redbridge community, and we deeply value the ongoing support from all the volunteers and Vision RCL parks team who maintain our sites to such high standards. I extend my heartfelt thanks to everyone involved. The People's Choice Awards will be announced soon; please remember to vote for your favourite award-winning Redbridge Park." 

Keep Britain Tidy's Green Flag Award Scheme Manager, Paul Todd MBE, said: "I would like to congratulate everyone involved in Redbridge on achieving a Green Flag Award for nine parks. 

Redbridge Parks are vital green spaces for communities to socialise, enjoy nature, and play safely with children. They also provide important opportunities for park users to improve their physical and mental health. 

“We know that staff and volunteers work tirelessly to ensure that the school maintains the high standards of the Green Flag Award. Everyone involved should feel extremely proud of their achievement.   It is important that our free-to-use spaces are maintained to the Green Flag Award standard, making them accessible to all community members while ensuring the environment is protected."