Three Calderdale parks retain international quality mark
Three of Calderdale’s best-used public green spaces — Centre Vale Park in Todmorden, Manor Heath Park and Jungle Experience in Halifax, and the Shibden Estate, also in Halifax — have each retained the prestigious Green Flag Award, confirming they meet recognised benchmarks for well-managed, welcoming and safe parks.
Calderdale Council said the awards highlight the day‑to‑day work of council teams and the ongoing commitment of local community groups and volunteers. Judges were impressed by the quality of maintenance, the effective use of green space and the standards of safety and security across the three sites.
Recognition for staff and volunteers
The council’s Cabinet member for Public Services, Coun Peter Hunt (Reform UK, Elland), emphasised the role of parks in everyday life for families and visitors, from walking and picnicking to children’s play and informal sport. In recognising the effort behind the award, he added:
“I’m delighted that three of our parks have been recognised with a Green Flag award. It’s a fantastic achievement and rewards the efforts of our staff and passionate volunteers.”
According to the council, volunteers regularly support tasks such as plant propagation, events, repairs and safety checks, working alongside maintenance teams to keep facilities in good order and accessible to all.
Where the flags are flying
The three recognised Calderdale sites span the upper and lower valley, offering a mix of formal gardens, play spaces and heritage landscapes:
| Park / Estate | Location |
|---|---|
| Centre Vale Park | Todmorden |
| Manor Heath Park & Jungle Experience | Halifax |
| Shibden Estate | Halifax |
Retaining the award signals that each location continues to meet the expected standards for appearance, accessibility and visitor safety, as assessed by Green Flag judges.
Love Parks Week: celebrate and look after local spaces
The announcement comes just ahead of Love Parks Week, running from Friday 24 July to Sunday 2 August. The council is backing the national celebration of parks and is encouraging residents to visit their nearest open space, share their favourite Calderdale park on social media, and support the effort that keeps these environments welcoming.
Alongside celebration, the authority is asking for practical help from park users to reduce pressures on cleaning and grounds teams. Keeping litter to a minimum and tackling dog fouling are specific behaviours the council wants to see improved during the busy summer period.
- Share photos and stories of your favourite Calderdale park during Love Parks Week.
- Take litter home or use bins provided to help keep sites clean.
- Prevent dog fouling to protect play areas and paths for all users.
Why this matters locally
Green Flag status is widely used as a shorthand for quality in public green spaces. For Calderdale, the retention of the award at Centre Vale Park, Manor Heath Park and the Shibden Estate indicates consistency in management and a dependable standard of visitor experience. The borough’s varied topography — from Halifax’s urban parks to the valley landscapes around Todmorden — places different demands on maintenance teams. The recognition suggests those challenges are being met, with safety, cleanliness and presentation judged to be up to the required level.
The council also frames parks as essential community assets that support health, leisure and social connection. By spotlighting volunteer contributions — from growing plants to helping at events and assisting with routine checks — the authority acknowledges that sustained standards rely on both professional staff and community involvement.
What park users can expect
Visitors to the three sites should continue to find well-kept grounds, facilities maintained to a good standard and clear attention to visitor safety. The council’s message ahead of Love Parks Week is that the quality of these spaces depends on shared responsibility: keeping on top of litter and dog fouling helps grounds teams concentrate on the work that maintains planting, paths, play equipment and the wider environment.
With school holidays approaching and more people seeking time outdoors, the timing of the awards — and the accompanying call for public support — underscores how everyday choices by park users can preserve standards across some of Calderdale’s most popular open spaces.
