Victoria Park has been voted one of the UK’s top 10 green spaces for the 13th consecutive year.
The grounds, located in Tower Hamlets, were chosen by members of the public in this year’s People’s Choice Awards, held by the anti-litter charity Keep Britain Tidy.
The winners were chosen from among the 2,250 green spaces which achieved this year’s Green Flag Award, the UK’s quality benchmark for environmental and operational management, operated by KBT on behalf of the UK government.
Tower Hamlets Councillor Kamrul Hussain, Cabinet Member for Culture and Recreation, said: “Thanks to the dedication of our staff and volunteers, it’s a place we’re proud to call ours.
“My thanks to everyone who voted and helped secure this prestigious award.”
Victoria Park was the only space in London to receive the award, while other winners included Wilton Lodge Park in Hawick, Scotland, Cassiobury Park in Watford, and Swansea University Singleton Campus.
Development for Victoria Park began in 1841, following proposals for an open space in East London to alleviate worries about overcrowding and insanitary conditions, which could cause diseases to spread in East London.
In 1872 the park was visited by Queen Victoria, who it was named after.
Throughout its history, it has undergone numerous changes, including extensive bombing during World War II, damage to trees and park buildings in a storm in 1987, and a £12.4 million restoration project in 2011, funded by Tower Hamlets Council and the HLF Lottery Fund.
Currently, it hosts several music festivals each summer, such as All Points East, Field Day and LIDO.
It also has several sporting facilities including a skate park, football pitches for adult and junior teams – including Victoria Park FC – and wide paths for rollerblading.
It is also listed as Grade 2 park on the English Heritage Register of Parks and Gardens of Special Historic Interest.
Featured image credit: Unsplash
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