Bury celebrates record 15 Green Flag Awards for parks and green spaces

Tuesday, 21 July 2026 10:28

By David Murphy

Bury has retained Green Flag status for all 13 of its main parks and two cemeteries, giving the borough the highest number of Green Flag sites in Greater Manchester.

The national awards recognise well managed parks and green spaces that provide high quality facilities for residents and visitors.

Bury Council has announced that all 15 of its Green Flag sites have once again received the prestigious award for 2026.

The borough now has the highest number of Green Flag sites in Greater Manchester and is among the highest ranked local authorities in the North West.

Eight of the sites have held Green Flag status for 21 consecutive years, recognising more than two decades of maintaining high standards.

The Green Flag Award scheme celebrates well managed parks and green spaces across the United Kingdom and internationally.

The award winning sites include Burrs Country Park, Clarence Park, Manchester Road Park, Openshaw Park, Hoyles Park and Whitehead Park in Bury, St Mary's Park in Prestwich, Bolton Road Park, Close Park and Radcliffe Cemetery in Radcliffe, Nuttall Park and Ramsbottom Cemetery in Ramsbottom, Private Peachment VC Town Meadow Park in Tottington and Whitefield Park and Hamilton Road Park in Whitefield.

Councillor Lucy Smith, Bury Council's cabinet member for environment, climate change and operations, said, "We are proud of all our green spaces in the borough providing a living, breathing space visitors to enjoy and improved quality of life for residents.

"A heartfelt thank you to everyone involved for your continued commitment to nurturing and improving these valued spaces for our communities."

Paul Todd MBE, Green Flag Award Scheme Manager at Keep Britain Tidy, said, "I would like to congratulate everyone involved in Bury's sites on achieving these Green Flag awards.

"We know that council staff and volunteers work hard to ensure that high standards are maintained and the Green Flag award standards are met. Everyone involved should feel extremely proud."

The announcement comes ahead of Love Parks Week, which celebrates the role parks and green spaces play in supporting communities, health and wellbeing.