The best and most beautiful green spaces in Islington have been revealed as part of a national awards scheme.

The Green Flag Awards named 13 council-run parks and five local community spaces in its annual list. Every one of the council spaces recognised this year also won the award last year.

Awards are given to parks that are welcoming and accessible, well maintained and clean, and creative and innovative in their management of the site.

Cllr Rowena Champion, Islington Council’s executive member for environment, air quality and transport, said:  "We know that Islington’s green spaces are so important to local people, allowing them to enjoy being outdoors while providing the incredible health and wellbeing benefits of being in nature.

Caledonian Park has also been recognisedCaledonian Park has also been recognised (Image: Islington Council)

"The Green Flag awards are a fantastic way to recognise the hard work and dedication of the council and community groups; it's a win for everyone who volunteers their time."

 

Gillespie Park was also recognised by the awards schemeGillespie Park was also recognised by the awards scheme (Image: Islington Council)

The full list of council-run Green Flag award winners in Islington is:

  • Duncan Terrace Gardens
  • Canonbury Square
  • Grenville Road Gardens
  • Kings Square Gardens
  • Fortune Street Park
  • Rosemary Gardens
  • Arundel Square
  • Whittington Park
  • Wray Crescent Open Space
  • Landseer Gardens
  • Gillespie Park
  • Caledonian Park
  • Highbury Fields
  • Finsbury Park (run by Haringey Council)

Community award winners include:

  • The Friends of Barnsbury Square Gardens
  • The Friends of Paradise Park (for The Mary Tealby Garden)
  • Friends of Granville Square
  • The Friends of King Henry’s Walk Garden
  • The Arlington Association

Bunhill Fields, which is managed by the City of London Corporation, was also awarded a Green Flag.

Islington Council said the parks serve as crucial areas for the community to appreciate the outdoors, whether for play, sport, relaxation, or social gatherings.

These green spaces also offer food and habitat to bird and insect populations, the council said.

They also boost biodiversity and increase canopy cover, which helps in the council’s mission to combat the climate crisis.

Paul Todd , Keep Britain Tidy’s Green Flag Award scheme manager, said: "It is important that our free to use spaces are maintained to the Green Flag Award standard, making them accessible for all members of the community while ensuring the environment is protected."

The Green Flag Award scheme, managed by environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy, recognises well-managed parks and green spaces across the United Kingdom and around the world.