Have your say on Havering parks and open spaces.

Havering Council want to know residents’ views as it looks to update its parks and open spaces strategy.

Parks were the solace for many residents during the COVID-19 pandemic and long before that, they have always been at the heart of communities across the borough.

A working partnership between the Council’s service teams, volunteers and friends of parks groups, has ensured that 16 parks continue to carry the prestigious Green Flag award and more recently, have won awards at the recent London in Bloom competition.

The partnership also works to carry out regular work to maintain the upkeep of all parks and open spaces.

The Council is looking for residents’ views to help them make the decisions that will see the borough’s parks remain safe places to visit and maintained to a good standard.

It is also a chance to give views on how environmental and wildlife habitats that are in or surround the parks are protected and enhanced.

The consultation will include asking why residents visit parks, what they would like to see more of or less of and how they think visiting a park or open space contributes to their general well-being and health.

Visit the consultation here  https://consultation.havering.gov.uk/

The consultation runs until 11 November.

Councillor Ray Morgon, Leader of Havering Council, said:

“We know how much our wonderful parks and open spaces mean to our residents and the role they played in helping everyone find a place to go during the pandemic.

“For us to continue the work we do to maintain our parks to the high standards set and to help ensure that these green spaces are there for generations to come, we need to get their views.

“Knowing what our residents are looking for when they visit our parks is very important, so we encourage as many residents as possible to let us know what they think.”