Parks and open spaces

We are committed to improving the standard of our parks and open spaces.

The Green Flag Award is the national standard for parks and green spaces in England and Wales. The award scheme began in 1996 as a means of recognising and rewarding the best green spaces in the country. It was also seen as a way of encouraging others to achieve the same high environmental standards, creating a benchmark of excellence in recreational green areas. To achieve Green Heritage Site Accreditation, winners have to understand and take action to conserve the heritage value of their site. They also need to help people to understand and enjoy its unique history, from nationally important parks to local green spaces that help tell the story of places and communities.

In 2023, Victoria Park, Windle was awarded Green Flag status for the ninth consecutive time, in recognition for its quality provision of the park. 

The Green Flag Award scheme is managed by a consortium consisting of Keep Britain Tidy, BTCV and GreenSpace. The Green Flag Award team is now based at the Keep Britain Tidy offices at Elizabeth House, The Pier, Wigan, WN3 4EX. The scheme is celebrating as 2,216 parks - the largest number since the scheme began, are proudly preparing to raise their flags.

Read more about the Green Flag Award.