Two more parks in Hounslow have received coveted Green Flag Awards, handed out to the country's best-maintained green spaces.
Inwood Park, in Hounslow, and Dukes Meadows, in Chiswick, join eight other parks in the borough already accorded the honour by the charity Keep Britain Tidy.
Inwood Park, in Inwood Road, was once a no-go area, plagued by antisocial behaviour . But an active friends group, an on-site gardener and the community safety team, jointly run by Hounslow Council and Hounslow Police, have dramatically improved safety at the site.
A new water play feature recently opened there, at the site of the old paddling pool, and the main play area has been upgraded, with a table tennis table among the new facilities.
Jo Murray, chairwoman of Friends of Inwood Park, said: "It is very important for the health and well-being of the people of Hounslow that we have available high-quality green space and parks.
"The award is recognition for all the hard work that has gone in to making the park a significant local asset."
Dukes Meadows was transformed from a fly-tipping hotspot to a thriving oasis, which is home to a popular water play area, a farmers market and art studios.
Dukes Meadows Trust, which was formed by users of the riverside park, has raised more than £1 million to improve the site and help boost visitor numbers.
The trust's chairwoman Kathleen Healy, who was this year made an MBE for her part in turning around the park's fortunes , said: "Everyone who has been involved is delighted. The trust has raised over £1 million to create new play areas, plant orchards, meadows and hedgerows and transform the park from a semi derelict, no go area go to a thriving and popular park. It is great to have this achievement recognised with a Green Flag.
"The social enterprises the trust established now generate over £70,000 a year and we are using this to maintain the improvements made and provide free family events such as the birds of prey display last Sunday. We welcome volunteers and people can find out how to get involved through our website."
Hounslow's parks are managed by Carillion on behalf of the council.
Councillor Sachin Gupta, Hounslow's cabinet member for leisure and public health, said: "Green Flags are the gold standard, so to win another two shows that our efforts to improve local parks are really making a difference.
"There has been a lot of work to bring these parks up to this level, not only from our grounds staff, but also the many volunteers and friends groups who volunteer their time to improve the sites for everyone’s enjoyment.
"We are determined to provide local people with parks and open spaces they can be proud of and enjoy for years to come."
The latest list of 1,470 Green Flag Award-winning parks was revealed on Monday (July 28) by Keep Britain Tidy.
As well as Inwood Park and Dukes Meadow, Green Flags are already flying at the following parks in Hounslow:
Beaversfield Park, Hounslow West
Bedfont Lakes Country Park
Boston Manor Park, Brentford
Crane Park, Whitton (jointly managed by Hounslow and Richmond councils)
Feltham Park
Hanworth Park
St John's Gardens, Isleworth
Turnham Green, Chiswick
