Manchester maintains pole position as it prepares to raise 21 Green Flags for city’s parks

Manchester has been named lead authority in the country for the second year, as 21 of its green spaces were named in the list of best parks in England and Wales, with the announcement by Baroness Andrews OBE of the Green Flag Awards.

The Green Flag Award scheme, managed by the Civic Trust, is the national standard for parks and green spaces.

Manchester has maintained its top position continuing to build on its success, after securing a further four awards this year.

Winners vary from Victorian parks and town centre gardens to nature reserves, country parks and cemeteries. Sites must meet the criteria of being welcoming, safe and well maintained with a strong involvement from the local community.

The winners are:

• Heaton Park (including Heritage Green Flag) in Higher Blackley
• Wythenshawe Park in Wythenshawe
• Debdale Park in Gorton
• Boggart Hole Clough in Blackley
• Baguley Park in Baguley
• Crumpsall Park in Crumpsall
• Gaskell Street Park in Newton Heath
• Fletcher Moss Botanical Gardens in Didsbury
• Didsbury Park in Didsbury
• Chorlton Park in Chorlton
• Ardwick Green in Ardwick
• Swinton Park in Longsight
• Cringle Park
• Manley Park in Whalley Range
• Old Moat Park in Withington
• Openshawe Park in Openshawe
• Philips Park in Clayton
• Parsonage Gardens in the city centre
• Sackville Gardens in the city centre
• Chorlton Water Park in Chorlton
• St Michael's Flags in Ancoats.

Councillor Mike Kane, executive member for culture and leisure, said: "This is a great acknowledgement to the council staff and the community groups who maintain and improve our parks. It is also a credit to the many Friends of parks groups, who make a vital contribution. We have many diverse open spaces from pockets of greenery in the city centre to the vast landscape of Heaton Park. The parks in our city are indeed something to celebrate and the awards are testimony to this."

Heaton Park was also a Green Heritage site winner, following its multi-million pound restoration. To find out more about the city's parks visit www.manchester.gov.uk/leisure

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