Barnard Park has been given a Green Flag award

FIFTEEN Islington parks have been celebrated with the “Green Flag” award to recognise their quality.

Barnard Park this year joined 14 others in receiving the internationally recognised quality mark for green space.

Councillor Ruth Hayes, the Town Hall’s health chief, said: “Barnard Park has undergone significant refurbishment over the past few years, with a new 3G football pitch, landscaping and planting, pathways and benches, a new community hub building and more, and it is wonderful to see this investment recognised with a Green Flag Awards.”

Islington is the borough with the second-least green space in the country.

This year the council announced it was using £840,000 of its budget to upgrade play area and parks.

Cllr Hayes added: “Green spaces are increasingly important to local communities. We have seen how parks have been used as a cool space for shade with the recent hot weather, as well as spaces to play, socialise, exercise, rest, and enjoy the mental and physical benefits of being in nature.”