Green Flags flying high across Wigan Borough's parks

A new name has been added to the list of Wigan Borough’s top-quality parks, continuing the council’s strong record with a national accreditation scheme.

Mesnes Park (Wigan), Pennington Hall Park (Leigh), Alexandra Park (Newtown) and Jubilee Park (Ashton-in-Makerfield) have all retained Green Flag status.

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

In further good news for the borough, community led sites at Colliers Corner in Howe Bridge and Tanners Lane Embankment in Golborne also retained their Green Flag credentials.

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.”

Parks form a prominent part of Wigan Borough Greenheart network, incorporating flashes, woodlands and wetlands.

In 2002, the Flashes of Wigan and Leigh were given National Nature Reserve status, the first in the region.

The Green Flag scheme recognises and rewards well managed parks and green spaces, setting the benchmark standard for the management of recreational outdoor spaces across the UK.

It is managed by the environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy under licence from the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government.

Councillor Chris Ready, cabinet portfolio holder for communities and neighbourhoods, said: “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, said:

“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.”

Colliers Corner is maintained by The Bridgers community group, Tanners Lane by the Golborne in Bloom group.

Find out more about green spaces on offer around the borough.