A total of 15 open spaces owned and managed by the City ofLondon Corporation have this year scooped Green Flag and GreenHeritage Site awards, as announced on Wednesday (July 28). BunhillFields has been awarded Green Heritage Site for the first time.

Green Flag Awards recognise and reward the best parks in thecountry and 15 City of London"s owned and managed open spaces stoodout after impressing the judges with its excellent use of greenspace, well-maintained facilities and high standard of safety andsecurity.

All of the City Corporation"s open spaces have won Green Flagspreviously. For Queen"s Park, in North West London and HighgateWood in North London this was the 14th consecutive annual award ofthe City"s open spaces. Epping Forest, Ashtead Common, BurnhamBeeches, Hampstead Heath, Highgate Wood, West Ham Park and City ofLondon Cemetery and Crematorium all retained their Green HeritageSite status, which recognises the particular site"s historicfeatures and high standards of conservation.

Dr Peter Hardwick, Chairman of the City of London Open SpacesCommittee said:"It is a great achievement that the City of London"s parks,commons and forests have once again been recognised as some of thebest run and well loved open spaces in the country.

"This is of course thanks to the hard work and dedication ofstaff and volunteers who work together throughout the year tomaintain and protect our open spaces, both now and for futuregenerations to enjoy. The work by the volunteers is muchappreciated and mutually beneficial to the City and the localresidents.

"I am particularly glad that the heritage importance of BunhillFields has been recognised. The City has managed this oasis of calmand greenery and burial ground of William Blake since 1867!"We really appreciate all the hard work of the judges who gavetheir time for free to this very worthwhile scheme."A record 1069 Green Flag Awards have been awarded to sitesacross the country this year.

Paul Todd, Manager, Green Flag Award Scheme, said:"It"s a remarkable achievement that so many parks havesuccessfully reached Green Flag Award status this year. The staffrunning the parks work very hard throughout the year to ensuretheir facilities are maintained to a high standard and enjoyed bythe entire community.

"As the effects of the recession bite and people look closer tohome to enjoy the outdoors, the provision of high-quality, freeopen spaces is of particular importance."Further information on Green Flag Awards can be found atwww.greenflagaward.org.uk