Blooming parks a green dream

nlnews@archant.co.uk
29 July 2010

HARINGEY'S parks have been hailed as among the best in the capital with the second highest number of coveted green flags.

The borough has won 19 badges of honour for its "outstanding" green spaces in the annual Keep Britain Tidy awards, announced yesterday (Wednesday).

Newcomers on the list are Belmont Recreation Ground, Fairland Park, Markfield Park, Paignton Park and Russell Park - all in the east of the borough.

Matthew McCabe, chairman of the Friends of Belmont Rec, credited much-needed improvements over the last 10 years in the park, off Rusper Road, Wood Green, for a dramatic reduction in problems with rubbish dumping and gang activity.

He said: "They [the judges] loved what we were doing, particularly the input from the local people and the work we have done with the playground, educational group and the bee group."

Markfield Park is flying its flag despite a year of protests by the park's bowling club. The group has been locked out of its clubhouse for two years while the council fixes its faulty electrics.

Eleven council-run parks have also retained their green flag status - Albert Road Recreation Ground, Bruce Castle Park, Chapmans Green, Chestnuts Park, Coldfall Wood, Downhills Park, Finsbury Park, Priory Park, Railway Fields, Stationers Park and Wood Green Cemetery.

This is the second highest number of council-run green flag parks in London.

Other winners include Tottenham Marshes, Highgate Wood and Alexandra Palace, all independent of the council, while six community gardens and allotments also made the list.

Councillor Dilek Dogus, cabinet member for adult and community services, said: "This is an outstanding success. It's down to the commitment of our staff and the hard work by residents.