Bury has again been recognised for the quality of its public green spaces after the borough retained 15 Green Flag awards for 2026. The figure covers 13 principal parks plus two cemeteries, giving Bury the highest number of awarded sites in Greater Manchester and placing the council among the leading local authorities in the North West.
Longstanding standards and community effort
Eight of the borough's Green Flag sites have held the accolade for more than two decades, with 21 consecutive years of recognition for those long-standing parks. The national scheme, administered by Keep Britain Tidy, judges sites on criteria including maintenance, community involvement, safety and conservation. For Bury, the awards are a formal acknowledgement of the work carried out by council staff and local volunteers to maintain high standards.
- Burrs Country Park
- Clarence Park
- Manchester Road Park
- Openshaw Park
- Hoyles Park
- Whitehead Park
- St Mary's Park (Prestwich)
- Bolton Road Park (Radcliffe)
- Close Park (Radcliffe)
- Radcliffe Cemetery
- Nuttall Park (Ramsbottom)
- Ramsbottom Cemetery
- Private Peachment VC Town Meadow Park (Tottington)
- Whitefield Park
- Hamilton Road Park
What the awards mean locally
The Green Flag mark is intended to be a visible assurance to residents and visitors that a green space is well managed and safe to use. For Bury, the awards support ongoing objectives around community wellbeing, leisure provision and environmental quality. The recognition also bolsters the case for continued investment and volunteer mobilisation in local parks and burial grounds.
"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," Councillor Lucy Smith, cabinet member for environment, climate change and operations, said.
Keep Britain Tidy's Green Flag Award manager, Paul Todd MBE, also congratulated those involved, emphasising the role of staff and volunteers in meeting the scheme's standards. The announcement arrives ahead of Love Parks Week, an annual celebration that highlights how parks support communities, health and wellbeing.
| Category | Number |
|---|---|
| Total Green Flag sites in Bury | 15 |
| Main parks | 13 |
| Cemeteries | 2 |
| Sites with 21 years' consecutive status | 8 |
For residents, the awards are a welcome endorsement of local amenities. For the council the challenge now is to maintain standards, ensure inclusive access and make best use of these spaces to support health and community activity across the borough.
