This week, 2,250 parks and green spaces across the UK have reached the high standards required to receive a coveted Green Flag Award in 2025 – more than ever recorded before – including seven parks and cemeteries across Manchester. The Green Flag Award is the international benchmark of excellence for parks and green spaces, which accredits and recognises sites that meet the needs of the community, are well-maintained, safe and provide people with the opportunity to lead healthy lifestyles.
The Green Flag Awards highlight the range of groups, volunteers and staff which devote themselves year-round to the maintenance and upkeep of these areas such as keeping cemeteries pristine and ensuring that urban parks can act as oases.
The following Manchester parks and cemeteries have retained their Green Flag Status:
- Alexandra Park
- Heaton Park
- The Southern Cemetery
- Manchester General Cemetery
- Blackley Cemetery
- Philips Park Cemetery
- Gorton Cemetery
In the past year alone, Manchester Southern Cemetery became designated as a local nature reserve, recognising the important role it plays in its local ecosystem. Heaton Park is firmly on the map as one of the UK’s leading event spaces due to the likes of Parklife and the homecoming Oasis gigs, but it also boasts acres of green space to get lost in – so popular, an estimated 3.2m people visited the park over the past year.
Councillor Lee-Ann Igbon, Executive Member for Vibrant Neighbourhoods, said: “I am so proud of everyone whose work led to our retention of this prestigious award. Parks and cemeteries play a hugely significant role in the ebb and flow of our daily lives and I am so pleased to see our colleagues and stakeholders rewarded in this way.
“Whether it is the friends-of groups which play an important role in the running of Alexandra Park, to the business owners that help people enjoy our green spaces, to our partners who help us put on events and attractions all year round, these Green Flags are something everyone should be proud of.”