Award-winning: the work done by City Commons across all the green spaces they care for in and around London has won international acclaim

The City of London Corporation has won the World Urban Parks Legacy Award for 2024 in recognition of its outstanding contribution to the preservation, management and enhancement of London’s urban green spaces.

It is the first collective city Legacy Award, given to multiple organisations, including the Greater London Authority, Lee Valley Parks, Royal Parks, National Park City Foundation, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and London Legacy Development Corporation, and all 32 London boroughs. The presentation was made at the World Urban Parks Annual Congress in Utrecht last month.

The World Urban Parks Legacy Award is given to “organisations that demonstrate exceptional leadership and innovation in urban park management, making a lasting impact on the community and the environment”.

The City of London Corporation manages more than 11,000 acres of green space across London and southeast England, including the Coulsdon commons, Kenley Common and Riddlesdown, as well as Hampstead Heath and Epping Forest. They also look after more than 180 gardens, plazas, churchyards and areas of green space within the Square Mile.

In total, they attract more than 47million visitors annually – three times the number who go to Premier League football matches every season.

Here is the Moos: the City Commons areas in Coulsdon, Kenley and Riddlesdown carry out vitally important environmental work

Caroline Haines, the chair of the City of London Corporation’s natural environment board, said: “Open spaces across London are a vital resource, not only for biodiversity but also for the health and wellbeing of millions.

“This recognition is a tremendous honour and reflects the hard work of organisations and volunteers across the capital in maintaining these special places for future generations.”

The City Corporation’s commitment to protecting green spaces dates back to the 1870s in response to the rapid disappearance of many public open areas – often to private developers – by starting an ambitious project to safeguard these vital sites.

Today, they play a crucial role in boosting physical wellbeing and mental health, tackling climate change, and benefiting thousands of school children a year through education programmes.

As with the City Commons sites here in south London, they include a variety of critically important wildlife habitats, Sites of Special Scientific Interest, Special Areas of Conservation, and National Nature Reserves, and are protected under legislation.

They are home to 58,000 ancient trees and capture over 16,000 tonnes of carbon every year, making them an important part of the City Corporation’s Climate Action Strategy, which commits the organisation to achieving net zero carbon emissions in its own operations by 2027; and to supporting the achievement of net zero for the whole Square Mile by 2040.

Ben Murphy, the chair of the City Corporation’s Epping Forest and Commons Committee, said: “150 years ago, the City of London Corporation had the foresight to lead a campaign to conserve thousands of acres of publicly accessible green spaces in our capital.

“That campaign continues today as we work with partners across London to respond to planning pressures and climate change. Together we are resolute in our commitment to protect and enhance ‘the green lungs of London.’”

The City of London Corporation says that it spends £38million a year on maintaining its open spaces.

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