15 Green Flags now fly across Bury

Coveted Green Flags are proudly flying at 15 of the borough’s green spaces.

Ramsbottom Cemetery has just been accredited for the first time, joining the 13 parks and one cemetery which once more retained their titles.

The Green Flag Award® scheme recognises and rewards well managed parks and green spaces, setting the benchmark standard for the management of recreational outdoor spaces across the United Kingdom and around the world.

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

“Green Flags flying overhead show that our communities are benefitting from high quality green spaces, thanks to the tireless work and high standards of our parks and countryside and grounds maintenance teams working in partnership with Friends of parks groups, various other community groups and volunteers.

“A huge thank you and very well done to everyone.”

The Green Flag Award Scheme is managed by environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy, and is the international quality mark for parks and green spaces.

Our winning parks 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

And the winning cemeteries are:

• Radcliffe
• Ramsbottom

Most sites have achieved the award for numerous years, but the parks with the highest running total are Clarence Park, Burrs Country Park, Close Park, Nuttall Park, Openshaw Park, St Mary’s Park, Whitehead Park and Whitefield Park with a track record of 20 years running.

Keep Britain Tidy’s Green Flag Award Scheme Manager, Paul Todd MBE, said: “I would like to congratulate everyone involved in Bury’s sites on achieving a Green Flag Award.

“Bury’s green spaces are vital for communities to socialise, enjoy nature, for children to play safely and they provide important opportunities for users to improve their physical and mental health.

We know that staff and volunteers work tirelessly to ensure that it maintains the high standards of the Green Flag Award, everyone involved should feel extremely proud of their achievement.

It is important that our free to use spaces are maintained to the Green Flag Award standard, making them accessible for all members of the community while ensuring the environment is protected.”

To find out more about Bury’s Green Flag parks and the facilities within them visit www.bury.gov.uk/parks

Press release issued: 16 July 2024.