Pride in parks rewarded as Wigan borough retains its seven Green Flag awards

Seven Wigan borough parks have retained their place among the best-kept in the country.

Alexandra Park in Newtown, Central Park in Atherton, Jubilee Park in Ashton, Mesnes Park in Wigan and Pennington Hall Park in Leigh have all secured prestigious Green Flag status for another 12 months.

Coun Chris Ready and council parks staff Michael Fishwick and Adam Pennington with The Bridgers in Lytham.

placeholder image — Coun Chris Ready and council parks staff Michael Fishwick and Adam Pennington with The Bridgers in Lytham.

Community-led sites at Colliers Corner in Howe Bridge and Tanners Lane Embankment in Golborne were again recognised on the coveted nationwide list of well-managed green spaces.

News of the awards comes as Wigan Council’s Be Well service prepares to celebrate Love Parks Week (July 24 to August 2) with a host of free parks activities for residents to enjoy.

Councillor Chris Ready (front) with The Bridgers.

Coun Chris Ready, the council’s cabinet portfolio holder for communities and neighbourhoods, said: “We take great pride in our parks and green spaces here in Wigan borough, so we’re delighted to see that hard work and passion has been recognised once again.

“Our parks are so important to our communities. As places to relax, socialise and be active, they can have a major positive impact on our health and well-being.

“A lot of effort goes into keeping them looking their best all year round, so I’d like to say a massive thank you to all our parks teams, volunteers and community groups for all their hard work and dedication.

“Achieving Green Flag status for another 12 months is just reward and goes to show that the love and passion we all have for our borough doesn’t go unnoticed.”

Adam Pennington of Wigan Council with Alan and Eileen from the Friends of Atherton Parks.

Currently celebrating its 30th year, the Green Flag Scheme is the internationally recognised standard for parks and green spaces.

This year, a record-breaking 2,391 sites across the UK have made the list, which also includes Green Flag Community Awards for quality sites managed by voluntary and community groups.

In Wigan borough, The Bridgers community group and Golborne in Bloom were rewarded for their upkeep of Colliers Corner and Tanners Lane Embankment respectively.

The Bridgers were joined by council officers and volunteers from the Friends of Atherton Parks group at the awards ceremony at The Lowther Pavilion in Lytham St Annes, where they were commended for their brilliant work.