Overview
- The Green Flag scheme, run by the charity Keep Britain Tidy, marked its 30th anniversary by accrediting a record 2,391 parks and green spaces across the UK.
- Local authorities have published their results, with Wirral reporting 33 Green Flags (the highest in the North West), Arun claiming a record 11, and Coventry securing six awards including Coombe Abbey’s Green Heritage accreditation.
- Several sites won specialist recognitions this year, including Green Heritage accreditations for Birkenhead Park, Coombe Abbey and Colchester’s Castle Park and Community Awards for places such as New Ferry Butterfly Park.
- Keep Britain Tidy used the roll‑out to call for sustained investment, warning that many parks in the most deprived areas do not feel safe or welcoming and urging funding for repairs, staffing and improvements.
- Councils and volunteer 'Friends' groups said the awards validate long-term maintenance and can strengthen bids for protections and funding such as Fields in Trust status and accessibility upgrades.