Green Flags flying high across the parks in Atherton, Wigan, Leigh

Managed by the environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy, the Green Flag scheme recognises and rewards well-managed parks and green spaces across the country, and sets the benchmark standard for the management of recreational outdoor spaces.

With community groups often assisting council workers in the management of local parks, Pennington Hall Park has again achieved the Green Flag recognition.

Mesnes Park in Wigan, Alexandra Park in Newtown, and Jubilee Park (Ashton-in-Makerfield also retained Green Flag status, as well as the community-led sites at Colliers Corner in Howe Bridge and Tanners Lane Embankment in Golborne.

For the first time, Central Park in Atherton was also named on the coveted nationwide list of well-managed greenspaces.

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Wigan's Mesnes Park also retained its Green Flag credentials (Image: Wigan Council)
Councillor Paul Prescott, cabinet portfolio holder for planning, environmental services and transport, said: “We are blessed with a wealth of greenspaces across our borough and we are delighted that we are able to continue our proud record with the Green Flag scheme.

“It is recognition of all the hard work from our dedicated teams and volunteers across all of our sites.”

The Green Flag recognition adds to the borough's 'Greenheart Network', which incorporates flashes, woodlands and wetlands, with the 'Flashes of Wigan and Leigh being given National Nature Reserve status in 2022.

Pennington Flash was named within the borough's National Nature Reserve status in 2022 (Image: Ernie Farrell)
Councillor Chris Ready, cabinet portfolio holder for communities and neighbourhoods, added: “Our parks and greenspaces are a source of great pride across our borough and we know how important they are to our communities.

“It is fantastic that our parks continue to receive this national recognition and I would like to congratulate the two community led schemes.”

Keep Britain Tidy’s Green Flag Award Scheme Manager, Paul Todd MBE, added: “These locations are vital green space for communities to socialise, enjoy nature, for children to play safely and it provides important opportunities for park 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.”

More information about the borough's green spaces can be found here.