Hyndburn receives the most Green Flag Awards in Lancashire

The environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy revealed of the 244 sites across the North West region to receive the award, 53 parks and green spaces were in Lancashire.

Almost one fifth (10), of the awards were handed out to parks and green spaces in Hyndburn, making it the borough with the highest number of awards in the county.

However, no parks in Blackburn with Darwen or Ribble Valley boroughs have received Green Flag Awards.

Green Flag Award (Image: Hyndburn Borough Council)

Cllr Steven Smithson, portfolio holder for parks at Hyndburn Council, said: “This is a wonderful cause for celebration and one  I am exceptionally proud to have been able to contribute to in a way.

"Thanks to many years of excellent park management by Council officers and volunteers, and to previous parks portfolio holders for their efforts to preserve and develop these spaces, Hyndburn residents have access to high-quality green space that is essential for community, wellbeing and health.

"We hope that with ongoing green space investment, as we have been prioritising in recent months through funding allocation for the renovation of green spaces around the borough, that we will see even more of our fantastic parks and green spaces recognised in the future.”

Cath Holmes, chair of Hyndburn Green Spaces Forum, said: “Not only do these flags recognise the abundant natural beauty we have on our doorstep in the area, but they also recognise and reward the ongoing hard work of all the staff members and volunteers within the community who take the lead on managing these spaces throughout the year to such a high standard.

“On the behalf of all the residents of Hyndburn, I want to thank everyone for helping us to hold this achievement for another year and I encourage everyone to get out into these wonderful natural spaces.”

The Green Flag Award, the international quality mark for parks and green spaces, is now in its 27th year and has seen successful submissions from local authorities and other land managers across the country for a range of sites, from world-famous city parks to small, local green spaces.

Worden Park in Leyland received its first Green Flag Award when the scheme was launched in 1996 and has flown it every year since – one of only four parks to do so.

In addition, 135 of the winners have also received a Green Heritage Site Accreditation for the management of historic features, supported in England by Historic England, including Cuerden Valley Park, managed by Cuerden Valley Park Trust.

To achieve Green Heritage Site Accreditation, winners have to understand and take action to conserve the heritage value of their site.

They also need to help people to understand and enjoy its unique history, from nationally important parks to local green spaces that help tell the story of places and communities.

Parks are a vitally important part of this country’s green infrastructure, providing opportunities to improve physical and mental health even in the most built-up urban environments.

It is estimated active visits to parks in England result in £2 billion of avoided costs of ill-health every year.

More than two fifths (44 per cent) of GB parents of primary aged school children in the North West said “allowing their child to experience nature” was a key reason they take their child to the park, in a YouGov survey carried out for Keep Britain Tidy last summer.

That’s why it’s important that parks are managed to the Green Flag Award standard which rewards those sites that meet the needs of the community, are well maintained, safe and provide people with the opportunity to lead healthy lifestyles.

Commenting on the announcement of this year’s winners, Keep Britain Tidy chief executive Allison Ogden-Newton said: “Our parks continue to provide a vital sanctuary for communities to play, grow and bond.

“The news that 244 parks in the North West have achieved the Green Flag Award standard reflects the tireless work of those tasked with looking after these regional assets.

“At Keep Britain Tidy, we’re very proud of the Green Flag Award - a crucial component in ensuring the continuing quality of our parks and green spaces, making sure they are managed to the highest standards and are safe and accessible.

"We believe it should be a minimum standard for every park – and that everyone, wherever they live, should have access to high-quality green space.

“Parks play a key role in the health and wellbeing of the nation not only in the physical and mental health of us all, but also in the environmental health of the planet.

“Congratulations to all this year’s winners.”

The Green Flag Award scheme is managed by Keep Britain Tidy under licence from the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, setting the benchmark standard for the management of recreational outdoor spaces across the United Kingdom and around the world.

The full list of Green Flag Award-winning parks and green spaces across Lancashire:

Burnley

• Ightenhill Park
• Padiham Memorial Park
• Queen’s Park
• Scott Park
• Thompson Park
• Towneley Park

Canal & River Trust

• Greenberfield to Barrowford Leeds and Liverpool Canal
• Lancaster Canal

Chorley

• Wirral Country Park
• Astley Park
• Coronation Recreation Ground
• Harper Recreation Ground
• Rangletts Recreation Ground
• Withnell Local Nature Reserve
• Yarrow Valley Country Park

Fylde

• Ashton Gardens
• Elswick
• Fairhaven Lake and Gardens
• Lowther Gardens
• Lytham War Memorial and Garden
• Promenade Gardens

Hyndburn

• Accrington Cemetery and Crematorium
• Cutwood Park
• Gatty Park
• Lowerfold Park
• Mercer Park
• Milnshaw Park
• Oakhill Park
• Peel Park
• Rhyddings Park
• Wilsons & Woodlands

Lancaster

• Happy Mount Park
• Regent Park Morecambe
• Ryelands Park Lancaster
• Torrisholme Cemetery
• Williamson Park
• Lancaster University - Lancaster University

Pendle

• Ball Grove Park
• Barrowford Park
• Heyhead Park
• Valley Gardens
• Victoria Park (Nelson)
• Walverden Park

Preston

• Ashton Park
• Avenham and Miller Parks
• Fishwick Bottoms
• Haslam Park
• Moor Park
• Winckley Square Gardens

Cuerden Valley Park Trust:

• Cuerden Valley Park Trust

Rivington Heritage Trust with Groundwork:

• Rivington Terraced Gardens

Rossendale

• Stubbylee and Moorlands Park

South Ribble

• Hurst Grange Park
• Longton Brickcroft Nature Reserve
• Withy Grove Park
• Worden Park
• West Lancashire Borough Council:
• Beacon Country Park
• Coronation Park

Wyre

• Memorial Park
• The Mount
• Vicarage Park
• Wyre Estuary Country Park - Stanah Picnic Site
• Hawthorne Park (Wyre Council & Hawthorne ParkTrust)