Green Flags Manchester 2022: which parks and cemeteries have won the award - and how are they awarded?

Six Manchester parks and cemeteries have been awarded the iconic Green Flag Award for being clean and well maintained.

The award is handed out to green areas that meet a certain selection of criteria.

Here’s all you need to know about which green areas in Manchester have been awarded the Green Flag.

Which areas of Manchester have been awarded the Green Flag?

Heaton Park, Alexandra Park, Blackley, Southern, Gorton and Philips Park cemeteries have all won Green Flag awards.

Which park has won an additional award?

As well as being given a Green Flag, Heaton Park has won the much-coveted Green Heritage Site Accreditation.

This accreditation is supported by Historic England for the management of its historic features.

What is the Green Flag Award Scheme?

The Green Flag Award scheme, the international quality mark for parks and green spaces is managed by Keep Britain Tidy and recognises and rewards well-managed parks and green spaces, setting the benchmark standard for the management of green spaces across the United Kingdom and around the world.

How is a Green Flag awarded?

A Green Flag is awarded by a team of experienced judges who visit each site and to meet volunteers who look after the areas.

The judges assess each area using eight criteria and the Green Flags are given to the sites which fit these.

These criteria are listed below:

• A welcoming place;
• Healthy, safe and secure;
• Well maintained and clean;
• Environmental management;
• Biodiversity;
• landscape and heritage;
• Community involvement, Marketing and communication;
• Management

What has Keep Britain Tidy said about the Green Flags in Manchester?

Keep Britain Tidy, the group which organises the Green Flag Award, have congratulated all of the successful sites in Manchester.

Keep Britain Tidy’s Accreditation Manager Paul Todd said: “I would like to congratulate everyone involved in making these sites worthy of a Green Flag Award.

“The parks are vital green spaces for the community in Manchester. This award is testament to all the hard work of staff and volunteers, who do so much to ensure that it maintains the high standards demanded by the Green Flag Award.”

The Green Flag Award scheme, managed by environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy under license from the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, recognises and rewards well-managed parks and green spaces, setting the benchmark standard for the management of green spaces across the United Kingdom and around the world.

Councillor Lee- Ann Igbon, Executive Member for Vibrant Neighbourhoods, said: “After two years that have seen parks and green spaces play an important role for people through lockdowns as a place to relax, exercise and meet friends and family safely. In addition, our cemeteries are important places of rest and our teams work very hard to maintain them.

“The news that six of Manchester’s parks  and cemeteries have achieved the Green Flag Award is testament to the hard work and dedication of the team of staff and volunteers that make all of our green spaces great- I’m thrilled!.”