Perfect ten for Memorial Park

Published on 6 August 2024

The Memorial Park in Whaley Bridge has been awarded a prestigious Green Flag for the tenth successive year.

The Green Flag scheme is managed by Keep Britain Tidy to reward well-managed parks and green spaces which set the benchmark standard across the UK and around the world.

 A dedicated Friends Group of volunteers work in partnership with High Peak Borough Council's parks team and its grounds maintenance partner Alliance Environmental Services (AES) to care for and develop the Memorial Park.                      

Assistant Executive Member Councillor Rob Baker joined some of the Friends and local ward councillors in the park to celebrate this achievement and raise this year's flag.

He said: "It's fantastic to be able to celebrate a decade at the top with some of the people that work so hard to care for this special park and ensure it continues to be listed amongst the very best in the country.

"This park sets the highest standards and it's brilliant to have that consistently recognised - it's a real tribute to the enthusiasm and commitment of the Friends volunteers and our staff who look after it and develop it for everyone to be proud of and enjoy.

"Being able to spend time outdoors makes all the difference for our physical and mental wellbeing. That's why our parks and green spaces are so important to the Council and our communities - and why we're building strong partnerships with volunteers and Friends groups, like this one at the Memorial Park, across the High Peak."

Keep Britain Tidy's Green Flag Award Scheme Manager, Paul Todd MBE, added: "I would like to congratulate everyone involved at the Memorial Park on achieving a Green Flag Award.

"The Memorial Park is a vital green space for communities in Whaley Bridge to socialise, enjoy nature, for children to play safely and it provides important opportunities for park users to improve their physical and mental health.

"We know that staff and volunteers work tirelessly to ensure that it maintains the high standards of the Green Flag Award, everyone involved should feel extremely proud of their achievement.

"It's important that our free to use spaces are maintained to Green Flag Award standard, making them accessible for all members of the community whilst ensuring the environment is protected."

Read our Parks Strategy for more information about how we're protecting, maintaining and improving parks and green spaces across the High Peak.