Hyndburn boasts most green flags in Lancashire
Hyndburn has retained the highest number of Green Flag Awarded Parks and Green Spaces in the county for Another Year
This week, Hyndburn Borough Council received the news that they have successfully retained their 10 Green Flag Awarded Park status for another year following the national 2023/24 Green Flag Award announcement.
Last year, Hyndburn set the record for the highest number of green flag parks for any borough in Lancashire, and they will continue to boast this achievement for the upcoming year. The green flags can be seen by visitors flying proudly at each award-winning location throughout 2023/24.
[Cllr Smithson (L) and Cath Holmes (R) with the Hyndburn Council Parks team at Cutwood Park, Rishton]
Cllr Steven Smithson, Joint Deputy Leader of the Council and Portfolio Holder for Parks, said:
“This is a wonderful cause for celebration and one that I am exceptionally proud to have been able to contribute to in a way. Thanks to many years of excellent park management by Council officers and volunteers, and to previous parks portfolio holders for their efforts to preserve and develop these spaces, Hyndburn residents have access to high-quality green space that is essential for community, wellbeing and health.
We hope that with ongoing green space investment, as we have been prioritising in recent months through funding allocation for the renovation of green spaces around the borough, that we will see even more of our fantastic parks and green spaces recognised in the future.”
The international award-winning parks in Hyndburn are: Milnshaw Park, Oakhill Park, Peel Park, Rhyddings Park, Gatty Park, Cutwood Park, Lowerfold Park, Mercer Park, Wilsons and Woodlands, and Accrington Cemetery and Crematorium.
[Cllr Smithson (L) and Cath Holmes (R) with the Hyndburn Council Parks team at Cutwood Park, Rishton]
Cath Holmes, Chair of Hyndburn Green spaces Forum, said:
“Not only do these flags recognise the abundant natural beauty we have on our doorstep in the area, but they also recognise and reward the ongoing hard work of all the staff members and volunteers within the community who take the lead on managing these spaces throughout the year to such a high standard.
“On the behalf of all the residents of Hyndburn, I want to thank everyone for helping us to hold this achievement for another year and I encourage everyone to get out into these wonderful natural spaces.”
The Green Flag Award scheme is an international quality mark for parks and green spaces, recognising and rewarding well-managed spaces and setting the benchmark standard for the management of recreational outdoor spaces across the United Kingdom and around the world.
[Cllr Smithson (L) and Cath Holmes (R) with the Hyndburn Council Parks team at Cutwood Park, Rishton]
Keep Britain Tidy’s Green Flag Award Scheme Manager, Paul Todd MBE said:
“The staff and volunteers do so much to ensure that Hyndburn maintains the high standards of the Green Flag Award and everyone involved should feel extremely proud of their achievement. The spaces are vital for “bringing people together and providing opportunities to lead healthy lifestyles”
To gain the award, parks undergo mystery visits from judges and are put through a rigorous application process. The judging criteria includes: scoring of the park’s horticultural, aboricultural and equipment maintenance, safety and security features, accessibility, welcome, biodiversity, community involvement, and marketing.
To see which green spaces are near you, check out Hyndburn Council’s postcode tool at: www.hyndburnbc.gov.uk/parks/