Parks and open spaces
Bexley has over 100 parks and open spaces across the borough which cover 638 hectares and is the tenth largest in London.
Ranging from small pretty gardens, for sitting and relaxing, to beautiful river and woodland areas for long walks and rambling, and large parks with ponds or lakes and many facilities such as boating, tennis and golf, children's playgrounds, splash parks and restaurants there is something for everyone.
The London Borough of Bexley has a long history of commitment to top quality park and open space maintenance and management.
In 2002/2003 it achieved Beacon Council status for improving urban green spaces. It has also seen regular success in London in Bloom Awards and the nationally prestigious Green Flag Park Awards.
We want to continue this commitment and have produced a Bexley Parks Strategy which sets clear publicly consulted objectives for our parks and open spaces for years to come.
Biodiversity (the name used to describe all living species and their habitats) also plays a large part in the way Bexley manages its parks and open spaces. For further information please see Biodiversity in Bexley.
On top of this, the Council has an excellent record for nature conservation within the parks and open spaces. Three local nature reserves were designated early in 2002, at Lesnes Abbey Wood, Foots Cray Meadows and Danson Park. In addition to these, many other areas are also managed for nature conservation.
Trees are particularly important to the borough, giving long-term enjoyment to residents. They are a unique part of the landscape but are also vulnerable to damage by vandals, development, pest and diseases. To ensure their huge contribution to the urban landscape continues it is essential that their needs and requirements are understood and planned for. To find out how we are doing this in Bexley, see Tree management.
