Merton’s parks and green spaces are the envy of London, and we are proud to now be home to ten Green Flag Award-winning parks. This is the highest number the borough has ever achieved – with Holland Garden and Haydons Road Recreation Ground joining the list of exceptional green spaces for the first time. 

The Green Flag Award is the international quality mark for parks and green spaces, and this year’s milestone reflects the continued commitment from Merton Council, Idverde and Friends of Park groups to maintaining high-quality, accessible spaces for all. 

Earlier this year, The Times newspaper named Merton as one of the top four places to live in the UK, and a key element for this ranking was the number of beautiful green flag parks our borough is home to. Our residents also rank our parks and green spaces as one of the things they like most about living in Merton, and that’s why we are investing more than £2million over the next four years to maintain and improve them for everyone to enjoy.  

Councillor Eleanor Stringer, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Civic Pride and Climate Change said: 

Reaching ten Green Flag Awards is a fantastic achievement for Merton and a clear reflection of the pride our communities take in their local parks. 

I’m particularly pleased to see Holland Garden and Haydons Road Rec recognised for the first time. These awards belong to everyone who helps care for our parks and green spaces, from our dedicated council teams to the Friends groups and volunteers who give their time to make Merton a greener borough. 

We’re lucky in Merton to have over 115 parks and green spaces, with every resident living within a 5-minute walk of one. Our green spaces are such an important part of local life. They are places to relax, connect, and enjoy nature close to home.

The Green Flag Award scheme is run by the environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy under licence from the Ministry for Housing, Communities, and Local Government. It sets the standard for well-managed parks across the UK and around the world. 

This achievement wouldn’t be possible without the dedication of the volunteers and Friends groups who work tirelessly behind the scenes.

Their support through hands-on volunteering, fundraising, and community care is vital in keeping Merton’s parks clean, safe, and thriving with biodiversity. Many give up their time freely, often week in, week out, and their contribution is truly invaluable.

One such volunteer is Margo Walker, who has been nominated for Green Flag’s Volunteer of the Year award in recognition of her outstanding commitment to Holland Garden. Margo’s nomination shines a light on the many passionate individuals who quietly make a huge impact in their local green spaces.

The full list of Green Flag sites in Merton now includes: 

• Cannizaro Park 

• Colliers Wood Recreation Ground 

• Canons House & Grounds 

• Abbey Recreation Ground 

• Dundonald Recreation Ground 

• John Innes Park 

• Sir Joseph Hood Memorial Playing Field 

• South Park Gardens 

• Holland Garden (new) 

• Haydons Road Recreation Ground (new) 

You can view the full list of Green Flag Award-winning sites here and explore all of Merton’s parks and green spaces here.