Green Flags for Elizabeth Park, Longsight Park, Moss Bank Park

The borough celebrated a huge milestone this week after five parks and green spaces received Green Flag recognition in the same year for the first time.

This includes Bolton’s newest green space, Elizabeth Park in the town centre.

Queens Park and Moss Bank Park have also been awarded Green Flag status , recognising their excellent standards of maintenance, safety, sustainability, and visitor experience.

Friends of Harwood and Longsight Park (Image: Bolton Council)

Longsight Park and Millennium Wood have earned Green Flag Community Awards, recognising the efforts of local volunteers.

Green Flag Awards are an internationally recognised mark of quality for well-managed parks and green spaces.

Over the past year, Bolton Council, working closely with local volunteer groups, has delivered a wide range of improvements aimed at enhancing biodiversity, upgrading infrastructure, and enriching visitors’ experience.

 These include:

• Restoration and improvement of pond habitats at Queen’s Park and Moss Bank Park, boosting ecological diversity and supporting local wildlife
• Creation of wildflower areas at Queen’s Park and Elizabeth Park, supporting pollinators and increasing seasonal colour 
• Installation of new bins and benches across multiple sites 
• Playground improvements making facilities safer and more inclusive
• Restoration of the historic fountain at Queen’s Park to full working order

Mary Hesketh, from Friends of Moss Bank Park, said: “We’re delighted, it’s been a long time coming.

“Moss Bank Park is a jewel in Bolton, so many people come here for a day out, so we are really happy.”

This is the first year Elizabeth Park has achieved Green Flag status since opening in 2024, marking a significant milestone for one of the borough’s newest parks.

Longsight Park (Image: Friends of Longsight Park)

Cllr Rob Morrisey, Bolton Council’s Executive Cabinet Member for Climate and Environment, said: “This is a fantastic achievement for Bolton and something everyone involved should be incredibly proud of.

“This success would not have been possible without the dedication of our Friends groups, particularly the Friends of Harwood and Longsight Park, Friends of Moss Bank Park and Friends of Queen’s Park.”

The Green Flag Community Awards for Longsight Park and Millennium Wood highlight the contribution of Friends of Harwood and Longsight Park, whose volunteer efforts have helped maintain and enhance the sites.

Councillors say the awards reflect the borough’s ongoing commitment to investing in its green spaces and supporting biodiversity.

Jane Wilcock of Friends of Harwood and Longsight Park said: “We are thrilled, the volunteers work exceptionally hard to improve our green spaces.

“We are very proud to get Green Flag Awards which reflect international standards.

“The only way is up!”

She said that the Friends have received a lot of support from organisations, including local rotary clubs, businesses and Bolton Cares.

Jane said that work was still underway to transform areas of the park, especially the compound area to make the park accessible for everyone.

She also wanted to thank the work of United Utilities for the work done in the area improving sewage and draining structures, helping the spaces look their best and improving the playing area for children.

Bolton Green Party chair Cllr Hanif Alli said: “We are delighted with this progress in the town parks!

“We will continue to lobby and work towards even more enhanced green spaces and localised community gardens in Bolton too.”

Further improvements are already planned, including the restoration of Moss Bank Park’s Rock Garden with the project seeing the cascade brought back into use, pathways resurfaced and new handrails installed.

There are also plans to install CCTV at Queen’s Park as part of efforts to improve visitor safety.

The latest success means Bolton now boasts five Green Flag-recognised sites, underlining the growing reputation of its parks and green spaces as some of the borough’s most valued public spaces.