Monday, 25th November, 2024
Our Park Awarded Green Flag Status for Second Year in a Row
We are delighted to announce that the park has been awarded Green Flag status for the second year in a row! This comes hot on the heels of our Environmental Volunteer Team of the Year triumph and arrives just as our long-anticipated restored Valley Path is complete and open to the public.
The Green Flag Award was given to the park for the first time last year. The award is made to publicly accessible parks and green spaces which fulfil a strict set of criteria set out by this international organisation. Since then, we have worked in tandem with Merton Council and contractor idVerde on ensuring we meet and maintain the high standards laid out by the Green Flag organisation, and would like to thank them for their continued support and commitment in helping us all to achieve this important recognition.
We gain good advice from the Green Flag organisation, which forms key elements of our strategic management plan. So, we are thrilled that our efforts have been evaluated for a second year and rewarded with the Green Flag to fly at the entrance of the park for another 12 months!
Support the Friends
We always welcome new members and volunteers to help The Friends of Cannizaro Park.
THE FRIENDS
The Friends of Cannizaro Park (FoCP) is a registered charity, working for the maintenance and improvement of the Park for the benefit of the community. We’re a small committee of trustees and many dedicated volunteers who give up their time to ensure that the park remains a jewel in Wimbledon’s crown, a haven for wildlife and an attraction for all its many visitors.
CANNIZARO PARK
Cannizaro Park is sited on prehistoric swamplands, which when they dried out, left the park with its gravel topsoil and acid subsoil. In the early 1700s, what became known as the Cannizaro estate extended out towards Kingston, covering a much larger area than the current 35 acres.
Projects
Jubilee Walk
Planned to coincide with the Platinum Jubilee year of HM Queen Elizabeth II, the existing cherry planting has been extended with new specimen trees to create an avenue of spring colour, underplanted with bulbs.
Hotel Flowering Border
In September 2023, The Friends took on redesigning and maintaining the long flower bed by Hotel du Vin, creating a vibrant, insect-friendly display through spring, summer, and autumn with drought-resistant, low-maintenance plants.
Valley Path
The Friends have been successful in applying for Civic Pride funds to facilitate the renovation of the Valley Path, including improved drainage and resurfacing to address accessibility and health and safety concerns in this area. This has been undertaken and will be completed in late Spring 2024.