Hyndburn Borough Council is thrilled to announce that the Council’s
Nominated by the Friends of Rhyddings Park, the Parks Team have been recognised for setting a new benchmark for green space excellence across Lancashire, most notably in securing a record-breaking 11 Green Flag Awards – the highest of any district in the county!
Alongside major park transformations like that of Memorial Park in Great Harwood and the revamp of Knuzden Recreation Ground to introduce inclusive play equipment and biodiversity-focused landscaping, the team have also been recognised for: continuing to enhance local nature reserves like Peel Park and the Coppice, supporting tree planting schemes across Bury Meadows, maintaining and upgrading 24 play areas across the borough, managing food growing areas and much more.
Ann Warrington, Friends of Rhyddings Park, said:
“The Hyndburn Council Parks Team are an outstanding group of men and women who bring energy and vision to our community and green spaces. They don’t simply maintain the borough’s parks — they reimagine them. Through bold initiatives and thoughtful innovation, these spaces have been transformed into places of environmental leadership, social connection, and community empowerment. It is a genuine pleasure to work alongside them through Friends of Rhyddings Park, one of many community groups they support with dedication throughout the year.”
Councillor Stewart Eaves, Portfolio Holder for Parks and Open Spaces, said:
“I’m delighted that our Parks Team has received this prestigious national award. It shows the hard work, dedication and passion of everyone involved in caring for our parks and open spaces. From the frontline staff who maintain them day in and day out, to the managers and volunteers who help make them welcoming for all. Hyndburn is blessed with 11 Green Flag parks and many beautiful open spaces. This recognition highlights the incredible effort that goes into creating green spaces our communities can be proud of, and I want to thank every single person who plays a part in making that happen.”
The Green Flag Award scheme recognises and accredits high quality and well managed green spaces and is managed by environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy in partnership with Keep Wales Tidy, Keep Scotland Beautiful and Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful.
Nominations were received from across the UK for the ‘Best of the Best’ awards and Hyndburn Borough Council’s Parks Team were subsequently selected by the jury for their exceptional contribution.
Paul Todd MBE, Green Flag Award Manager, said:
“We know that our Green Flag winning sites most likely would not have achieved these high standards without the hard work of volunteers, staff and other groups around the UK who look after them.
It’s only right that we continue to recognise the tireless work by Hyndburn Borough Council’s Parks Team and the thousands of parks staff and volunteers to make their parks and green spaces safe and healthy places everyone can benefit from.
We’d like to congratulate them on their Best of the Best award.”
Parks and green spaces provide many benefits to people, pets and wildlife, including space to exercise, socialise, and improve mental and physical wellbeing – and they also play a part in helping us mitigate and adapt to some of the effects of our changing climate.
Parks Team have scooped the title of ‘Team of the Year’ in the annual Green Flag ‘Best of the Best Awards’. This award recognises the team for their work to protect and enhance green spaces throughout Hyndburn.
