Mayor's Safer Parks Award winners 2011

A selection of winners from 2011

Gold award winners

Albert Road Recreation Ground (Haringey)

This has been transformed from a derelict no-go area plagued by anti-social behavior and crime into an award winning Beacon green space.

Bury Lodge Park (Enfield)

Friends of Bury Lodge Park formed in April 2009 to protect, conserve and enhance the park. Their efforts along with increased patrols has improved public perception of the park.

Canons Park (Harrow)

The park was underused due to its isolated position and was seen as unsafe. A new group was set up to increase usage and promote it as a safe hub for the community.

Chiswick House and Gardens (Hounslow)

Crime has been tackled by a number of initiatives including landscaping measures and a 24-hour warden service to patrol and respond to anti-social behaviour in the park.

Danson Park (Bexley)

Through partnership working between police, the local council, park users and stakeholders, there is a real sense of ownership and pride iin the park, and crime has been cut too.

Dukes Meadows (Hounslow)

A decade ago the park was a no-go zone. Since the local community formed a Friends group, the park has since been transformed with £1m funding and is now a safe, popular place.

Elthorne Park (Islington)

Many groups have worked together to stop crime in the park and encourage the public to use it more. In particular, there has been investment in sport for young people, via the Kickz project.

Harrow Recreation Ground (Harrow)

The Safer Sutton Partnership Service, and a committed Safer Parks Team has helped tackle crime in the park, which is now a safe, vibrant community hub busy from dawn to dusk.

Hyde Park (Westminster)

The Hyde Park Safer Parks Team has improved the park so much that a survey of its Safer Parks Panel which is made up of park users found that 81% are now satisfied with the park.

Manor House Gardens (Lewisham)

The park user group has engaged the local community to make sure that bye laws and regulations within the gardens are properly enforced, stopping dog fouling, littering etc.

Paddington Recreation Ground (Westminster)

A great facility for all age groups and members of the community. There are comprehensive feedback mechanisms to ensure the park is well managed and users are engaged, ensuring that ASB and crime is highlighted and addresssed.

Plumstead Common (Greenwich)

The Plumstead Common Environment Group (PCEG) friends group was formed in 1991 to tackle crime. The group encourages use and enjoyment of the common through a range of activities.

Roxeth Recreation Ground (Harrow)

This park was rejuvenated thanks to the formation of a park steering group. This partnership approach has turned the ground into a well-used and loved community park with many users.

Silver award winners

Russia Dock Woodland (Southwark)

Since the park's steering group was set up in 2004, the woodland has been transformed. Anti-social behaviour has been banished and it is now popular with thousands of users. 

South Park Gardens (Merton)

One of Merton’s flagship parks, it is Grade II on the English Heritage Register of Parks and Gardens of Special Interest. The park was recently restored using a Heritage Lottery Fund grant.

Barking Park (Barking and Dagenham)

The site’s ‘Get Involved’ campaign engages the local community and ensures all park users can take an active role in the park’s management and development.

Bishops Park (Hammersmith and Fulham)

This park has historically had low levels of crime. However in 2009, there was a significant increase. Anti-crime measures were incorporated into the park's 2010 refurbishment to address this.

Bush Hill Park (Enfield)

The Friends Group, Parks Department and police are a visible presence helping to challenge the notion that the park is unsafe. Recent issues addressed include stopping dangerous dogs.

Canbury Gardens (Kingston upon Thames)

Crime has dropped thanks to a concerted partnership involving the local community, police  & Kingston council. This has had a positive impact on how the public view the park.

South Park (Hammersmith and Fulham)

While crime has been historically low in this park, it increased in 2007. The Parks Constabulary took action to address concern amongst park users and engage the public in tackling this issue.

Spikesbridge Park (Ealing)

This park had over the years suffered from high levels of crime. A multi-agency partnership approach has helped turn the park into a safe environment used by the whole community.

St Lukes Gardens (Kensington and Chelsea)

In summer 2010 an upsurge in anti-social behaviour by young people in the gardens, was tackled by a partnership approach coordinated by the Royal Borough’s Parks Police Service.

The Grove Park (Sutton)

A unique collaboration between the police and Sutton council has helped to deal with crime and anti-social behaviour in the park and improved the public's perception of the space.

Valentines Park (Redbridge)

Visitors to the park can access information on crime reporting, anti social behaviour and breaches of byelaws and are able to easily report problems to the council, Parks Police and Met Police.

Bronze award winners

Burgess Park (Southwark)

This long park crosses Camberwell, Peckham and Walworth. Substantial work starts in April 2011, partly funded by the Mayor and also Aylesbury NDC to help raise the profile of the park.

Ilford War Memorial Gardens (Redbridg)e

Problems with teen drinkers and dog walkers who would not clear up were highlighted by the Ilford War Memorial Action Group. The park is now a dog-free zone and closes earlier.

Markfield Park (Haringey)

Better play equipment, lighting and sports facilities means that the park no longer looks ‘run down’. While a community style café provides a place for people to meet.

Montefiore Gardens (Wandsworth)

A partnership between Parks Police, Wandsworth Dog Control Service and Queenstown Road Safer Neighbourhood Team (SNT) has tackled crime and dangerous dogs in the gardens.

Beaversfield Park (Hounslow)

Nearby residents are encouraged to report anti-social behaviour and regular meetings and street briefings are held with a wide range of community groups.

Elmhurst Gardens (Redbridge)

It was plagued by crime when Jodie Marriott-Baker aged 13 wrote to local MP, Ian Duncan-Smith and then Prime Minister Tony Blair. Since then then it has been transformed into a safe and welcoming space.

South Park (Redbridge)

Parks police patrols, liaison with users and the formation of the South Park User Group have helped to counter problems in this multicultural neighbourhood, and the park is now well-used.

Victoria Recreation Ground (Kingston upon Thames)

In 2009, there were many incidents of anti-social behaviour including a serious attack. The local Safer Neighbourhood Team started regular foot and cycle patrols to reassure users and residents.

If you have any questions on the scheme email: saferparks@london.gov.uk.