The Royal Parks have been recognised as amongst the best green spaces in the country, after achieving a raft of Green Flag Awards.

All eight Royal Parks were awarded Green Flags status. In addition, special awards were received as follows:

• The St James's Park allotment project, aimed at encouraging people to grow their own fruit and vegetables in confined spaces, won one of only seven national Special Awards for Innovation.
• Greenwich Park, The Green Park and St James's Park were awarded Green Heritage Site status, which recognises high standards of care and upkeep in parks of local or national historic interest.

Mark Camley, Chief Executive of The Royal Parks said: "The Royal Parks provide 5,000 acres of green open space in London and they are some of the best parks in the country. I am delighted that each of the eight parks has received a Green Flag Award and that the hard work of the people who care for the Parks has been recognised."

Media enquiries:

For further information please contact:

Katy Murray, The Royal Parks on 0300 061 2128 or kmurray@royalparks.gsi.gov.uk

Notes to Editors

About The Green Flag Award and Green Heritage Site Status:

• To attain a Green Flag Award, a park must show continual improvement to be maintained to a high standard, be safe and secure, be sustainably managed and have significant involvement with the local community.
• The Green Flag Award is the national standard for parks and green spaces in England and Wales. The award scheme began in 1996 as a means of recognising and rewarding the best green spaces in the country. It was also seen as a way of encouraging others to achieve the same high environmental standards, creating a benchmark of excellence in recreational green areas.
• Green Heritage Site status is sponsored by English Heritage and promotes the value of, and best practice in, the care and upkeep of parks and green spaces in England that are of local or national historic interest. Sites do not have to be on the English Heritage Register of Historic Parks and Gardens, but must be at least 30 years

About The Royal Parks:

• The Royal Parks is an executive agency of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport. The Royal Parks are: Bushy Park, The Green Park, Greenwich Park, Hyde Park, Kensington Gardens, The Regent's Park and Primrose Hill, Richmond Park and St James's Park.
• For further information please visit: www.royalparks.org.uk