Glendale managed parks among the best in London

Parks and green spaces in Lewisham managed by national green services provider Glendale have been acknowledged as being some of the best in London.

Lewisham Council was included in Parks for London’s report Good Parks for London, which promotes good practice and rates how well local authorities manage their parks in the city.

The borough was marked in the top three of London’s 32 boroughs.  The scoring criteria took factors including public satisfaction, community involvement, sustainability, events and collaboration with other boroughs into consideration.

Parks for London was established as an independent charity in 2014 and works to keep the city’s parks and green spaces accessible, safe and beautiful.

Glendale’s partnership with Lewisham Council began in 2000 and was the first of the company’s contracts to combine events management, sports development and infrastructure maintenance with traditional grounds maintenance.

Through the volunteer conservation programme Nature’s Gym, residents of Lewisham are invited to take part in free educational sessions to participate in nature conservation activities, while socialising and keeping active.

Glendale also established the Lewisham Primary School Football League in Blackheath, to provide sporting opportunities for young people.

Adrian Wickham, the managing director for the south at Glendale, said: “We’re committed to creating and maintaining green spaces for all to enjoy, so we’re thrilled the work we do in Lewisham has contributed to the borough’s parks being recognised as some of the best in the capital.

“Parks are important places and a key factor in ensuring social cohesion, and the work we do in Lewisham, such as the staging of events, can attract local people who wouldn’t usually spend time there.  Holding sporting events such as marathons or sponsored walks is also an effective way of promoting the benefits of exercising in green spaces, for example improved physical and mental health.”