GL Hearn sponsor the Good Parks for London report for a 4th consecutive year

26 November 2020

The 4th annual Good Parks for London report launched today focuses on how London’s park services are performing; how land managers are meeting the on-going challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the impact it has had on how residents, wider communities and visitors use them.

“On the 18th April, during the first lockdown, the Communities Secretary, Robert Jenrick, said people need parks. And, we’ve seen how true that is." Says Tony Leach, Chief Executive of Parks for London. "Particularly during the summer, when parks in London were literally bursting at the seams, as people flocked to enjoy the outdoors, meet friends or to exercise."

Today’s launch of the 2020 Good Parks for London report is a real testament to the dedicated parks staff and volunteers who have kept parks open and safe for all. However, we cannot take these spaces for granted, this year parks services have lost income from outdoor events and other activities and have incurred high costs to keep them safe and to remove exceptional levels of litter. So, we ask all London boroughs not to cut parks budgets as they plan for 2021 and beyond, but to remember that these spaces are vital to sustain not only healthy communities but the wider environment.

The report looks at how London boroughs are performing against ten Good Parks criteria, including public satisfaction, health and wellbeing, community, nature, sustainability and more.

This year we congratulate the London borough of Lambeth whose parks service has been outstanding. Other boroughs that have performed exceptionally well are Lewisham, Southwark, Havering, Richmond and Haringey. Well done to Sutton, Newham, Bexley and Merton who were this year’s biggest improvers.

Overall, 94% of boroughs have shown improved parks services, we congratulate all London boroughs, their staff and volunteers for the work they are doing and thank them for participating in this report.

Cllr Sonia Winifred, Cabinet Member for Equalities and Culture, said “I’m thrilled and delighted that Lambeth has scored so highly in this year’s report. Our parks and green spaces have proved to be a lifeline for our residents during this challenging year and this achievement reflects so well on our dedicated and hardworking staff, volunteers and friend’s groups.”

The results of this year’s report were announced at an online event, kindly hosted by the Cross River Partnership, earlier this afternoon.

• Share