More than a dozen parks in Havering have been recognised with an award recognising their high standards and excellent facilities.
The borough has again won the Green Flag Award for 16 of its parks, for the fourth consecutive year.
Awarded by the environmental charity, Keep Britain Tidy, a Green Flag recognises the best standards, maintenance, and facilities in a park.
Councillor Ray Morgon, leader of Havering Council, said keeping the Green Flags for the fourth year in a row was a "proud moment" for the council.
He said: "The Green Flag award is recognition of all the hard work our staff carry out on a daily basis, along with our volunteers and friends of parks groups to help keep our parks maintained and safe for everyone to visit.
"It is due to their efforts that we are once again celebrating this success and I am delighted their dedication has once again been rewarded."
Paul Todd MBE, Keep Britain Tidy’s Green Flag Award scheme manager, added that it is "important that our free to use spaces are maintained" so they can be "accessible for all members of the community".
READ MORE: Five Havering picnic spots including historic Romford park
He said: "I would like to congratulate everyone involved at Havering on achieving a Green Flag Award.
"Havering’s parks are vital green spaces for communities to socialise, enjoy nature, for children to play safely and they provide important opportunities for park users to improve their physical and mental health.
"We know that staff and volunteers work tirelessly to ensure that it maintains the high standards of the Green Flag Award, everyone involved should feel extremely proud of their achievement."
The 16 parks in Havering recognised with a Green Flag Award are:
- Hornchurch Country Park
- Spring Farm Park
- Bedfords Park
- Upminster Park
- Hylands Park
- Lodge Farm Park
- Cottons Park
- Harold Wood Park
- St Andrews Park
- Lawns Park
- Raphael Park
- Central Park
- Rise Park
- Langtons Gardens
- Harrow Lodge Park
- Haynes Park
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here