10 of Rochdale borough’s green spaces have reigned triumphant at this year’s coveted Green Flag Award scheme - ranking them among the best in the country.
This year the scheme awarded 2,216 UK winners with the international quality mark – the largest number awarded since the scheme began 27 years ago.
Heywood boasts 2 beautiful green flag parks at Queen’s Park and Hopwood Park. Middleton offers the perfect quartet at Middleton Memorial Gardens, Middleton Cemetery, Jubilee Park and Truffet Park in Langley.
In Rochdale, visitors benefit from award-winning green spaces at Denehurst Park and Rochdale Town Centre parks, which include Broadfield Park, Rochdale Memorial Gardens, Packer Spout and St Chad’s Gardens. Milnrow Memorial Park and Hare Hill Park in Littleborough also retained top status in the Pennines.
Hare Hill Park in Littleborough is another award-winning park.
Councillor Liam O’Rourke, cabinet member for climate change and environment, said:
“What can I say, we’ve knocked it out of the park again, with all ten of our parks and green spaces proudly flying the prestigious Green Flag Award for another year. These spaces offer many a place to get away from it all, exercise, walk the dog or spend time with the family through beautifully maintained areas for all to enjoy.
“Achieving Green Flag Award status is a tribute to our grounds staff, street cleansing and clean and green teams, alongside volunteer groups and local businesses who consistently help to keep our borough looking its best all year round.”
Jubilee Park in Middleton boasts Green Flag status again.
Keep Britain Tidy’s Green Flag Award Scheme Manager Paul Todd MBE said:
“I would like to congratulate everyone involved in making these 10 sites worthy of a Green Flag Award.
“These parks and open spaces provide vital green spaces for the community across Rochdale, bringing people together and providing opportunities to lead healthy lifestyles. The staff and volunteers do so much to ensure that they maintain the high standards of the Green Flag Award, and everyone involved should feel extremely proud of their achievement.”
Denehurst Park in Rochdale was another Green Flag Award winner.
The Green Flag Award scheme, managed by environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy under licence 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.