The Green Flag has been raised at Cherry Tree Wood
Celebrations have been held at Cherry Tree Wood after it was officially recognised as one of the country’s best parks.
The popular East Finchley park has received the coveted Green Flag Award - the international quality mark for parks and green spaces.
To mark the achievement, a flag-raising ceremony took place at the park today (Friday 27 September), attended by council staff, volunteers, and Councillor Alan Schneiderman, Barnet Council’s Cabinet Member for Environment and Climate Change.
Cllr Schneiderman said:
“Cherry Tree Wood is a beautiful open space cherished by those in the local community and beyond, and I’m delighted that it has now been recognised with a Green Flag Award.
“I would like to thank our staff and local volunteers who work all year round to ensure the park is in excellent condition. This award is testament to their hard work.
“Our green spaces are hugely important for wellbeing and the environment, and they are part of what makes Barnet so special for residents and visitors alike. We are committed to protecting and improving them so that they are enjoyed by generations to come.”
Cherry Tree Wood is one of more than 200 parks and green spaces covering 28% of Barnet, making it among the greenest London boroughs. The council is committed to developing their biodiversity and ensuring they remain welcoming, well used, safe and looked after.
Council officers worked closely with local volunteers from the Friends of Cherry Tree Wood to secure the Green Flag Award. Volunteer groups play a valuable role in improving and maintaining parks and green spaces around the borough.
Roger Chapman, Chair of the Friends of Cherry Tree Wood, said:
“In large part this award reflects the hours of hard work put in by so many volunteers in making Cherry Tree Wood so special for our community. We will be working hard to keep the flag flying in future years.”
Paul Todd MBE, Keep Britain Tidy’s Green Flag Award Scheme Manager, said:
“I would like to congratulate everyone involved at Cherry Tree Wood on achieving a Green Flag Award.
“Cherry Tree Wood is a vital green space for communities in Barnet to socialise, enjoy nature, for children to play safely, and it provides important opportunities for park users to improve their physical and mental health.
“We know that staff and volunteers work tirelessly to ensure that it maintains the high standards of the Green Flag Award. Everyone involved should feel extremely proud of their achievement.
“It is important that our free to use spaces are maintained to the Green Flag Award standard, making them accessible for all members of the community while ensuring the environment is protected.”
Notes to editors:
The Green Flag Award scheme, managed by environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy under licence from the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government, recognises and rewards well-managed parks and green spaces, setting the benchmark standard for the management of green spaces across the United Kingdom and around the world.
More information about Barnet’s parks and open spaces can be found here: Parks, open spaces and trees | Barnet Council