14 Green Flags flying over Bury

In a record-breaking year, Bury is again raising its prestigious Green Flags at green spaces across the borough.

Bury’s 12 main parks have once more achieved the coveted Green Flag award - and two extra sites have also been accredited for the first time: Hamilton Road Park in Whitefield and Radcliffe Cemetery.

The Green Flag Award® scheme is the international quality mark for parks and green spaces. It recognises and rewards well managed sites and sets the benchmark for the management of recreational outdoor spaces across the United Kingdom and around the world.

Bury’s 14 winning green spaces that can proudly boast a Green Flag are:

• In Bury:Burrs Country Park, Clarence Park, Manchester Road Park, Openshaw Park and Whitehead Park.
• In Prestwich: St Mary’s Park
• In Radcliffe:Bolton Road Park, Close Park and Radcliffe Cemetery
• In Ramsbottom:Nuttall Park
• In Tottington:Private Peachment VC Town Meadow Park
• In Whitefield:Whitefield Park and Hamilton Road Park

Most sites in the borough of Bury have achieved the award for numerous years, but the parks with the highest running totals are Burrs Country Park, Clarence Park, Close Park, Nuttall Park, Openshaw Park, St Mary’s Park, Whitehead Park and Whitefield Park with a track record of 19 years running.

Councillor Alan Quinn, cabinet member for the environment, climate change and operations, said: “We are absolutely delighted that our parks continue to retain their Green Flags year on year, and to have added a further two sites to the collection is a fantastic achievement.

“Green Flags flying overhead show that our communities are benefitting from high quality green spaces. In Bury, despite 13 years of austerity, this is thanks to ongoing council investment in local facilities, the tireless work and high standards of our parks, countryside and grounds maintenance teams, and last, but definitely not least, all the remarkable support and dedication from local volunteers, friends of parks, and community groups.

“A huge thank you to all, and very well done for this amazing triumph.”

The Green Flag Award Scheme is managed by environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy under licence from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government. For many, the scheme has been fundamental in improving and maintaining high standards for their green spaces.

Paul Todd MBE, Keep Britain Tidy’s Green Flag Award Scheme Manager, said: “I would like to congratulate everyone involved in achieving 14 Green Flag awards for Bury’s green spaces.

“These are vital spaces for the community, bringing people together and providing opportunities to lead healthy lifestyles. The staff and volunteers do so much to ensure that the high standards of the Green Flag are maintained, and everyone involved should feel extremely proud of their achievement.”

Some of the main factors contributing to Bury’s ongoing Green Flag success include:

• Continuing council investment in maintaining public facilities, including play areas, ball zones and tennis courts
• Self-management of bowling and football pitches and the hard work by voluntary groups in running their sites
• Parks and green space volunteers that play an important role in maintaining environmental standards, carrying out conservation projects, and keeping facilities clean
• Friends of parks that passionately support local green spaces and source external funding for the delivery of new projects

To find out more about Bury’s Green Flag parks and the facilities they have, visit www.bury.gov.uk/parks or to become a park and green space volunteer see www.bury.gov.uk/parks-getinvolved

ENDS

Press release issued: 18 July 2023.

Picture: Another green day! At Hamilton Road park are (front, from left) Kathryn Taylor, volunteer development officer; Cllr Alan Quinn; and Mike Bent, parks and countryside manager. Also pictured are volunteers are from Whitefield Wombles, Love Springwater Park and Friends of Burrs.