​Bury’s parks named among the best in the world

All 12 of Bury’s main parks have won the prestigious Green Flag Award for the ninth year running.

The international award, from Keep Britain Tidy, recognises and rewards the best parks and green spaces in the world. A Green Flag flying overhead is a sign to the public that the space boasts high standards, quality, is clean and well maintained and well used.

Bury’s green dozen are: Close Park, Openshaw Park, Hoyles Park, Clarence Park, Whitehead Park, Whitefield Park, Bolton Road Park, St Mary’s Park, Town Meadow Park, Nuttall Park, Manchester Road Park, and Burrs Country Park.

Among their comments, the judges praised: The new East Lancs Railway station at Burrs; the quality and range of facilities at Manchester Road and Clarence parks; the self-management of most sports facilities and allotments; plus the partnership working across all sectors, a major achievement to everyone involved.

Councillor Alan Quinn, cabinet member for the environment, said: “It’s fantastic to see Bury’s quality parks standards are being sustained, even under these exceptional financial circumstances of cuts in public sector funding. This is tribute to the efforts of our parks and countryside and grounds maintenance teams, and also to the many volunteers, community groups, self-managed clubs and associations and friends of parks groups who continue to work hard to help make the borough such an attractive and active place to work and live.”

To find out more about outdoor play and sport facilities and what’s on in Bury’s parks, or to apply to book a park for an event, visit www.bury.gov.uk/parks.

ENDS

Press release issued: 17 July 2018.

Notes to Editors

The Green Flag Awards Scheme (http://greenflagaward.org/) is run by the environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy, under licence from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, in partnership with Keep Scotland Beautiful, Keep Wales Tidy and Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful.

Keep Britain Tidy is a leading environmental charity. We inspire people to be litter-free, to waste less and to live more.We are run programmes including Eco-Schools, the Green Flag Award for parks and green spaces and the Blue Flag/ Seaside Awards for beaches. To find out more about Keep Britain Tidy, our programmes and campaigns visit www.keepbritaintidy.org.

Any green space that is accessible to the public is eligible to enter for a Green Flag Award. Awards are given on an annual basis and winners must apply each year to renew their Green Flag Award status. A Green Flag Community Award recognises quality sites managed by voluntary and community groups. Green Heritage Site accreditation is judged on the treatment of the site’s historic features and the standard of conservation.