Green Spaces
Kingston is often referred to as a ‘green and leafy’ suburb of Greater London. This characterisation is given partly because of the diverse range of open spaces, from the formal parkland of Canbury Gardens in Kingston Town to the informal hay meadows of Tolworth Court Farm Fields.
There are many large and small parks, playing fields and wayside gardens in between. The other open spaces include large mature private gardens in the north of the Borough to the Green Belt farmland in the south.
Many of the streets are lined with mature large trees in the Victorian and Edwardian areas and smaller ornamental species in the post-war and modern developments. A visitor would regard the ‘green and leafy’ description as accurate.
Green Spaces Strategy
A comprehensive forward looking strategy for the long term management of the Borough’s open spaces is paramount for sustainable growth. The Green Spaces Strategy is one of a suite of natural resource strategies we have that considers the spectrum of issues that these assets require. Other strategies include the Tree Strategy, Allotment Strategy and the Cultural Strategy.
This Green Spaces Strategy (GSS) will help focus resources efficiently and effectively on land that is owned or managed by us on behalf of others.
There will always be a demand for open space. The challenge is to make its availability and management relevant to people’s needs. This strategy provides a framework for the maintenance and enhancement of the Green Spaces thus seeking to meet people’s needs and expectations of the Borough’s Green Spaces.
Two supporting strategies one for allotments and one for trees have been developed independently but in parallel to the development of the GSS. Although for ease of use and reading they are three separate strategies they should be regarded as a single strategy in terms of taking a holistic and integrated approach to the management of the Borough’s green spaces
The Strategy (GSS) was adopted by Executive in March 2008. It is intended that the GSS will remain ‘live’ for the substantial term of the grounds maintenance contract, currently undertaken by Quadron Services Ltd. Consequently the Strategy covers the period 2008 to 2018.
The framework of the strategy is broadly based around ten top-line functions. The overall ambition of the strategy is to undertake improvements so that each green space will fulfil at least six functions with the majority of sites being able to fulfil nine or ten.
The strategy is implemented though annual implementation plans (AIP) that are presented for approval to the Executive on an annual basis. The plan covers 3 years in outline and one year in detail.
4th Annual Implementation Plan
The fourth AIP covers the period 2011 – 2014: the medium term of the Green Spaces Strategy. The projects build on the framework of the three previous AIP’s.
The focus remains around securing Green Flag for priority parks, increase in community activity, encouragement and support towards voluntary managed allotment sites and a proactive approach to achieving no net loss of trees.