Latest parks updates
We undertake a continual programme of work to enhance our parks and open spaces.
View the latest parks update for most recent projects carried out.
River restoration work
Restoration to the River Crane and Duke of Northumberland’s River is scheduled to take place.
Crane Park
Our Parks team are working with the Environment Agency and London Borough of Hounslow to deliver further ecological improvements to the River Crane. Following the success of the project carried out upstream at Little Park and Pevensey Road Nature Reserve, improvements to the river habitat from Hanworth Road downstream to Mill Road will commence during January 2025.
These works will increase the suitability of the riparian habitat for the resident water vole population and encourage them to disperse and colonise new areas further downstream.
The work will involve:
- Targeted coppicing and pollarding of some trees on the riverbank to open the canopy in places where it has become heavily shaded
- The addition of natural wood deflectors and hinge trees to the river channel to improve the flow and manage silt deposition
- Restoration of heavily eroded riverbanks to manage and improve access to the river
- The planting of marginal aquatic vegetation to provide additional habitat for wildlife
Duke of Northumberland’s River
Bankside vegetation management works have also been commissioned on the Duke of Northumberland’s River. This will involve the coppicing of shrubs which are creating dense shade over parts of the river, inhibiting the growth of the aquatic vegetation which provides vital habitat for the river’s wildlife.
The works will take place between 6 and 8 January, during which time this section of footpath will be closed between 9am and 3.30pm. During this period, residents are advised to use the alternative public right of way along Spray Lane.
Customer Satisfaction Survey
Our Parks Customer Satisfaction Survey has found that 93% of residents are happy with the parks services in the borough.
This survey takes place every two years and aims to assess overall satisfaction with local parks and highlight any areas for improvement.
The 2023 survey found that Council-managed parks and open spaces in the borough continue to operate to a high standard with a general satisfaction among residents of 93%.
Significantly, 94% of respondents rated the ease of access in parks as excellent, good or satisfactory while 90% of respondents said they felt safe in our parks.
Read the full 2023 Parks Customer Satisfaction Survey.
Notice of Court Proceedings for Unauthorised Encampment Injunction
By Claim Form and Application Notice dated 25th September 2024, issued in the High Court of Justice under Claim Number: KB-2024-003315, the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames (the Council) has applied for an interim and final Injunction pursuant to Section 222 of the Local Government Act 1972 and/or Section 187B of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 to prohibit Persons Unknown from forming an unauthorised encampment, entering to occupy for residential purposes or depositing waste, at any of the following sites:
- Ham Lands
- Ham Riverside Drive Open Space
- Ham Riverside Pitches
- Kew Green
- Old Deer Park
- Richmond Green
- Ham Common, and
- King George’s Field
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT the Court will consider the Council’s application at the Royal Courts of Justice, Strand, London WC2A 2LL on 19 November 2024. (The judge and the exact time of the hearing will be published in the High Court Cause List the working day before to the hearing).
Copies of the Court Proceedings are available for inspection at the Council’s offices at Civic Centre, 44 York Street, Twickenham TW1 3BZ, or can be read online:
The Council’s solicitors are: South London Legal Partnership, Merton Civic Centre, London Road, Morden SM4 5DX (Reference: LEG/BB/337/196).
Paul Chadwick, Executive Director of Environment & Community Services
London Borough of Richmond upon Thames.
Project updates
Summary of projects for 2022-2023: Completed projects
(pdf, 152 KB)
Greening Richmond Schools
With support from the Parks team, Let's Go Outside and Learn have helped eight schools draw up an action plan to green their school grounds. The aim of the project is to develop new species-rich habitats within schools to support our biodiversity action plans. Each school received £500 to support them in completing their action plan.
Read more about the Greening Richmond Schools project.
Lower Crane Valley Management Plan
We are pleased to announce the publication of the Lower Crane Valley Management Plan. It sets out, subject to funding, an initial five-year programme for large scale improvements to the biodiversity and community value of the Crane Valley in Richmond.
We have worked closely with local community groups, including Friends of the River Crane Environment (FORCE), to produce this plan.
Read the Lower Crane Valley Management Plan.
Woodland conservation management winter 2024
We are planning works in Crane Park, East Sheen Common and Beveree Wildlife Site this winter.
Crane Park
The Parks team will be carrying out woodland management conservation work in Crane Park this winter. This aims to improve the arboreal structure and diversity of the woodland, which will in turn encourage the establishment of a greater variety of flora and fauna.
Work is being targeted within a small number of distinctive compartments where conservation interventions are considered to be most appropriate, so as to maximise the benefit to the whole woodland ecosystem whilst minimising disturbance across the majority of the site.
In two areas to the east of the site, densely growing stands of non-native trees and self-seeded semi-mature ash trees will be felled to create small glades within which 200 new broadleaved trees will be planted, primarily species which are already well-distributed across the site at low-densities, such as hornbeam, field maple, hazel, cherry and lime. Increasing the cover of these native trees which we know to already be endemic to the woodland at Crane Park will improve the resilience of the woodland in the face of the current and future challenges posed by climate change and disease.
Dense stands of holly will be thinned within an area to the north of the site close to the central Ellerman Avenue entrance. This species has become excessively dominant here and the thinning will improve light levels to the understory and enhance conditions for a desirable range of other plant and tree species. Noting its importance for wintering and nesting birds, large amounts of holly remain across the site, and the larger, more established holly trees will be retained.
See the Lower Crane Valley Management Plan for more information.
East Sheen Common
Year one of the new East Sheen Common Management Plan is about to start, with some selective tree thinning and removal as well as removal of non-native species.
Patches of Laurel and Bamboo are evolved since the site was a former allotment site and are now preventing native woodland species from establishing. There will also be some important tree lifting and removal work around the wetland areas, allowing much-needed light to get the water and its marginal areas. This will encourage the marginal vegetation to grow providing important food, shelter, and commuting habitat for our amphibians and reptiles.
Find out more information about the East Sheen common woodland works and view a map of the conservation area.
Beveree Wildlife Site
Management of the woodland understory will be taking place at Beveree Wildlife Site in Hampton this winter.
The aim of the management is to improve the structure and species diversity of the woodland understory. This will involve the removal of non-native species such as holm oak and false acacia, as well as the thinning of holly, which is becoming over-dominant in the woodland and creating dense shade.
Asian hornet sightings
Following a recent confirmed sighting of an Asian hornet in East London, we are asking residents to report any sightings of this type of hornet.
Find out more about how to identify Asian hornets and report your sightings.
Throw line boards installed
We have installed 16 throw line boards throughout the borough along the River Thames. These contain lifesaving equipment and instructions for use in emergencies. We now have the most boards out of all London boroughs.
View a map showing the location of throw line boards in Richmond.
Emergency wildlife contacts
The Biodiversity team have compiled a list of emergency contacts for our local wildlife.
Open space assessment 2023
A recent open space assessment was undertaken by Knight, Kavanagh & Page Ltd to review open spaces including parks in the borough.
Read the Open space assessment.
Tree updates
Find out more about trees in the borough and our tree policy.
Grass cutting programme and shrub and hedge maintenance
The grass verges we maintain have been re-categorised into urban highway, rural highway and highway verges. This is in an effort to increase biodiversity and reduce our carbon footprint.
Find out about our approach to managing grass verges and see what category verges by your home belong to.
Shrub beds across the borough are maintained on a monthly basis and hedges will be cut twice a year, once in the winter and once in late summer to allow for nesting season.
We are also introducing ‘Pollination Stations’ in the form of natural grass areas in parks and open spaces. Find out more about our approach to managing Pollination Stations.
Integrated Pest Management Policy
The Parks team have implemented the management policy below in regard to pest management in Parks and Open Spaces.
View Integrated Pest Management Policy (pdf, 197 KB)
Towpath management from Kew to Beverley Brook
Alongside the Port of London Authority, we have created a wooded towpath management plan from 2022 to 2036.
The management plan seeks to unify the approach to managing and maintaining the bank and towpath environment for the future. The plan focuses on tree and woodland management whilst considering the wider ecology, heritage and user matters.
Tree works are due to start in February 2023. The majority of the works will be carried out without any closures with diversions directing users to alternative routes.
Read the full management plan (pdf, 4.5 MB).
Wildflower Meadow Programmes
For the last few years we have been establishing a number of wildflower meadow projects across the borough.
See the latest update on Wildflower Meadows (pdf, 197 KB).
Services and facilities
The following services and facilities are available in our parks.
Shade and shelter
We permit the use of private awnings and open sided gazebos (2x2 metres) in our parks and open spaces for the use of shade and shelter. Closed gazebos and marquees are not permitted.
Dog play areas
We have two sites in the borough which have specific dog play areas, one is in North Sheen Recreation Ground and the other is a new 'Bark Park' at Chase Green. Dog walking is welcomed within our other parks and open spaces, such as Palewell Common and Sheen Common and many others.
However, all parks and open spaces are controlled by a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) which imposes various restrictions to dog control.
Japanese knotweed
Japanese knotweed (Fallopia japonica) is an invasive species that originates from Japan and parts of Asia. Originally brought over by the Victorians to add to their plant collections, it has since thrived and without its natural predators spread throughout the English countryside. Due to its vigorous growth (through tarmac and concrete) and spread, combined with its resilience to treatment, it has become a major problem and rapidly out-competes our native plants reducing biodiversity.
For information on how to control and remove Japanese knotweed please visit GOV.UK.
If you identify Japanese knotweed on Council land, please contact us with as many details as possible (and if possible a photo) so that we can take the necessary steps to remove it.
Contact the Parks department
Send your comments and feedback about our projects to:
Email: parks@richmond.gov.uk
Telephone: 020 8891 1411
Updated: 09 December 2024
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