Hackney Council is celebrating as it announced the award of two new Green Flags, which recognise the UK’s best green spaces.

National environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy awarded the prestigious flags to parks in Hackney, which brings the total in the borough to 13– among the highest in London. The new Green Flag parks are Hackney Marshes, E9 and Butterfield Green, N16

These are in addition to the eleven sites that have retained Green Flag status in 2011.

The Council celebrated the announcement at Butterfield Green, N16 where Cllr Jonathan McShane, Cabinet Member for Health, Social Care and Culture joined members of the park user group.

He said: “This is fantastic news for Hackney as it again demonstrates the quality of our parks and green spaces. Congratulations to park users and staff who do so much to make our parks amongst the best in London.”

Green Flags encourage a high level of environmental standards, creating a benchmark of excellence. To be eligible for an award, parks must also submit a five-year plan for continued maintenance and improvement.

Hackney has the highest proportion of open space of any inner London borough, ranging from Hackney Marshes to Hoxton Square.

To find out more about Hackney’s award winning parks visit www.hackney.gov.uk/community-parks or: www.keepbritaintidy.org/greenflag

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The full list of winning parks is:

Butterfield Green, N16
Cassland Road Gardens, E9
Clapton Pond, E5
Clapton Square, E5
Clissold Park, N16
De Beauvoir Square, N1
Hackney Downs, E5
Well Street Common, E9
Hackney Marshes, E9
Haggerston Park, E2
London Fields, E8
Shoreditch Park, N1
Springfield Park, E5

PHOTO CAPTION

L to r
Back row: Cllr Jonathan McShane, Annie Wilson, Bron Jones and Cllr Wendy Mitchell
Front row: Eleanor Johnson, Pat O'Leary and Maggie Chattaway