Kingston's Canbury Gardens and Churchfields Recreation Ground have been recognised as some of the country's best green spaces with a prestigious Green Flag Award this week. The two parks stood out after impressing the judges due to the well-maintained facilities, excellent use of green space and high standard of safety and security.
Councillor Derek Osbourne, Leader of Kingston Council is pleased with the acknowledgement: "A lot of hard work goes into ensuring our outdoor spaces are some of the best in the country, and as people look closer to home to enjoy the outdoors, the provision of high-quality, free open spaces is of particular importance. With parks providing the perfect location for families during the school holidays, we would encourage everyone to get out there over the summer months and make the most of the outdoor spaces within the borough."
Councillor Dennis Doe, Chairman of the Canbury Gardens Working Party added: "This is a tremendous achievement and we had high hopes when the Kingston Town Neighbourhood Committee nominated Canbury Gardens. Everyone worked extremely hard and I am very grateful to everyone who made this possible. I look forward to the formal raising of the flag by the Mayor of Kingston."
Canbury Gardens
Stretching along the peaceful and broad River Thames within easy walking distance of Kingston town centre, Canbury Gardens is one of Kingston's most prestigious and best loved parks, designated a Strategic Area of Special Character.
Its formal Victorian gardens are in keeping much of the surrounding architecture of this Conservation Area. A wide range of activities include hard surface tennis courts and childrens playground, and the site is host to Kingston Rowing Club and Canbury Tennis Club. A bandstand provides a focal point with a busy music calendar during the summer. There is also a community pavilion run by the Canbury Community Trust charity which was saved from demolition and now is a vibrant, sustainable resource making money out of private hire to use for voluntary organisations. Regular weekly events include the Iranian Older Persons social group, a Muslim youth group, Christian youth group, QiGong, Aikido and a mother and toddlers drop in session.
Canbury Gardens also has its own Public House, the Boaters Inn, which overlooks the River Thames on the site of the original barge cottage and boathouse.
Church Fields Recreation Ground
Church Fields Recreation Ground provides an essential community resource in Chessington. The 22.5 acre site is the third largest in the borough and contains a range of amenities including a popular childrens playground, MUGA court for year round football and basketball, senior and mini league football pitches and changing rooms and a bowls club. There is a large conservation area on site with a habitat island and meandering path network that create a more relaxed feel to contrast with the formal amenity sport and play areas.
Quadron is working in partnership with The Royal Borough of Kingston to actively consult with local residents and interest groups in order to develop facilities in the park. This has resulted in a recent successful 60k grant from the London Marathon Trust to develop sports opportunities.