Two Manchester parks were lit up green to celebrate international award

Two Manchester parks were lit up green to celebrate international award

Heaton Park and Alexandra Park have both won Green Flag Awards, an internationally recognised standard for parks and green spaces.

To mark the occasion, on Wednesday 14 October, Heaton Hall and the lodge house in Alexandra Park were lit up green. 

The Green Flag Award scheme, which is managed by the environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy, recognises the commitment and effort that goes into well-managed parks and green spaces. 

In a year when green spaces have proven more vital than ever, visitor numbers have increased whilst park staff were managing the challenge of ensuring green spaces were safe for the public.  

Heaton Park and Alexandra Park are among 2,000 other sites in the UK to collect the Green Flag Award in 2020.  

Executive Member for Skills, Culture and Leisure, Luthfur Rahman OBE, said: “We know how much people in Manchester love their parks, so it is welcome to receive such a well established award and a real achievement to have two parks in the city win the award.   

“I am sure I speak for many of us when I say that the use of our parks and green spaces has been vital during recent months .  The benefit of being outside for your physical and mental health are both well known and appreciated now more than ever. 

“Such recognition and appreciation for our parks is down to the commitment of the excellent park staff and wonderful volunteers who maintain these green spaces for the benefit of everyone.” 

Keep Britain Tidy Chief Executive Allison Ogden-Newton OBE said: “This year, more than ever, our parks and green spaces have been a lifeline and we know that millions of people have used them to relax, meet friends, exercise or simply escape for a short time.  

“It is testament to the incredible dedication and hard work of parks staff and volunteers that, despite the challenges that went along with record numbers of visitors, Manchester City Council has achieved the highest international standards for Heaton Park and Alexander Park, demanded by the Green Flag Award.” 

Philip Heywood Chairman of the Heaton Park Tramway, said: “This award has been a culmination of many years hard by a dedicated team of wonderful volunteers. Parks are such focal points for our communities and seeing people enjoy these communal spaces makes all the work even more worthwhile. I would like to thank each and every volunteer personally and hope this award goes some way to demonstrate the thanks and appreciation you all deserve.”

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