Parks keep the green flag flying high

Cherry blossom in bloom at Hare Hill Park

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Four parks in the Rochdale area have achieved the coveted ‘Green Flag’ status, which is a national benchmark for quality, at a ceremony in London held today (Thursday 17 July).
Whilst the Memorial Gardens in Rochdale town centre and Hare Hill Park in Littleborough retained their flags, Broadfield Park and Milnrow Memorial Park have been given the award for the first time.

Queen’s Park in Heywood also retained their award this year.

Following the announcement, there will be a ceremony held on Thursday 24 July in Liverpool, where the green flags will officially be rewarded.

Peter Cunningham, Head of Environmental Management at Rochdale Council said: "We are delighted to have not only retained Green Flag status for the three of the borough’s parks awarded last year, but also see Milnrow Memorial Park and Hare Hill Park become part of this standard.

“The improvements we have carried out over the past 12 months have made a huge difference to the parks and the judges were impressed with the high standards."

Over the next few weeks, each park will be celebrating with a Green Flag being raised in recognition of the award.

Councillor Wera Hobhouse, Cabinet Member for Environment and Sustainability said: “The parks are highly valued by users. This is fantastic news, and the result of much hard work from staff and friends groups.

“Achievement of the Green Flag status, which every park strives to achieve, shows that our parks are amongst the best in the country. What’s more, it’s our local community which reaps the benefits, so go out and enjoy!

“We certainly won’t be stopping here. We have an ambitious target of attaining at least a further five Green Flags throughout the borough’s green spaces by March 2011, as well as ensuring we retain the existing Green Flag parks well into the future, so we’re going to be busy!”

The Civic Trust run the Green Flag scheme, which was introduced 10 years ago after it was inspired by the Blue Flag scheme for beaches. Flags are awarded to welcoming, safe and well-maintained spaces with strong community involvement.

The scheme is to recognise the value of green spaces in communities (particularly urban environments), and it rewards excellent standards for park management.

The awards are given on an annual basis and winners must apply each year to renew their Green Flag status.

In order to qualify, parks and green spaces must be freely accessible to the public and have given regard to sustainability, conservation and heritage.