We’re delighted to have achieved Green Flag status for another year.   Potters Fields Park has won Green Flags for many years, and has been joined, for the third successive year, by St. John’s Churchyard.

This year, we completed Phase 1 of a new sustainable replanting project in Potters Fields Park.  Sustainability has always been integral to the management of the Park, including use of green waste mulch, reducing water use and minimising the use of pesticides.   However,  the original planting had reached the end of its natural life, and is being replaced in stages with an exciting new scheme, designed by Darryl Moore/Cityscapes to cope with climate change and improve biodiversity.

A colourful variety of mainly native and European species is already thriving in the largest beds near Tooley Street.   Planted in a free-draining mix of recycled sand, aggregate and crushed concrete, the new planting is visibly attracting a range of pollinators and other wildlife.   Once established, it will spread and re-seed over the years, and require less watering than traditional planting schemes.

The Green Flag judge noted as a particular strength:

“Active and exciting Phase One programme of replanting key areas of both sites, especially the southern entrance into Potters Fields Park, as well as in the middle of St. John’s Churchyard. These should add not only colour and form to both sites, but also significantly enhance their biodiversity interest and climate change resilience, as well as help with surface water flooding”.

In St. John’s Churchyard, we’ve refreshed the planting in the sunken wetlands beds.   The dominating sedge plants were removed and the original planting scheme from the 2020 renovation was reinstated.   Bees and butterflies are regular visitors to the flourishing new plants.

The judge’s summary concluded:

“Two very different sites in terms of their origins and evolution to where they are now, but they both feel interlinked and valuable green spaces for local communities and visitor alike to use and enjoy. The standards of management are good, and there are ongoing changes to keep them alive, welcoming and sustainable, which should be commended. Good luck on Phase One of the new replanting scheme and it will be a valuable addition for local biodiversity, climate change resilience and adding new colour and form to both sites, which people can see and enjoy”.

Our double success  again this year is a great tribute to the hard work of the team from Gavin Jones, our long-standing landscape and gardening contractors.  Their year-round dedication to keeping our two parks clean, safe and well-maintained is appreciated by everyone who enjoys the parks for recreation, events, rest and relaxation.

See more about the Green Flag Awards here