Watermans Park and St Paul's Recreation Ground have been awarded Green Flag Awards for the first time this year for their high standards and new developments.
Published: Thursday, 3rd August 2023
The annual awards are presented by Keep Britain Tidy in recognition of well-managed parks and green spaces. Since the scheme started over a quarter of a century ago, it has become the international quality mark for great green spaces.
Over the past year, Watermans Park has seen a series of developments led by ideas from The Friends of Watermans Park, and residents. In June 2021, the Council’s Parks team engaged with two local primary schools – Green Dragon and St Paul’s – for their vision for the playground. Residents were also given the opportunity to share their views through an online consultation.
When asked what the most important improvements for residents as users of the park would be, the largest response was ‘providing a greater variety of play equipment or junior trim trail’. Some other popular responses included: ‘exercise equipment for teenagers’ and ‘a variety of activities for older kids as well’. As a result, developments included a new play area for young children, table tennis, and a basketball area for teenagers and older children. An outdoor Yoga and events space has also been added for people of all ages.
Developments also include a new pedestrian ramped access at the eastern entrance - which was built to accommodate a new cycling route with TfL – and a restored boardwalk along the River Thames that provides a viewing platform with riverside seating. Lamp column lighting has also been installed to enable safe night-time cycle use.
St Paul’s Recreation Ground has also seen improvements, landing it a Green Flag Award for the first time. Its historic water fountain was restored by Hounslow Council, the Heritage of London Trust, and The Friends of St Paul’s. A new Multi-Use Games Area was installed in the play area in 2022, along with new trees planted around the playground.
Councillor Salman Shaheen, Cabinet Member for Recreation, Public Spaces, and Parking said: “I’m so proud of the new improvements in Watermans Park and St Paul’s. Once again, it shows how committed we are to making the most out of our borough’s outstanding green spaces.
“The efforts that have gone into restoring these great spaces is reflected in the awarding of two new Green Flag Awards. Achieving this high standard for our parks is a team effort. Our Parks team, Lampton Services Greenspace, The Friends of Watermans Park, and our partners have worked alongside our community groups and those residents who feel so passionately about these green spaces.
“These awards are a testament to the hard work of all involved, these spaces have become a great space for exercise and outdoor activities. We want our parks and open spaces to continue to enable residents to look after their physical and mental health. “
This news comes in as the Council is supporting the national Love Parks Week campaign, an initiative to celebrate and promote local parks.
The redevelopment of Watermans Park was funded through the Community Infrastructure Levy and other council-sourced funds, the marina developers Thames River Moorings, and the TfL- funded Cycleway 9.
Hounslow Council has committed to investing £5m in the borough’s parks to ensure they remain among the best in London.
For more information about parks and open spaces in Hounslow visit the Council’s website
