Bolton is celebrating a landmark achievement after five of its parks and green spaces have all been awarded Green Flag status together for the first time.
The borough’s three flagship parks - Queens Park, Elizabeth Park, and Moss Bank Park have all achieved Green Flag status, recognising their excellent standards of maintenance, safety, sustainability, and visitor experience.
This is the first year Elizabeth Park has been awarded Green Flag status since it opened in 2024.
In addition, Friends of Harwood and Longsight Park have secured a Green Flag Community Award for both Longsight Park and Millennium Wood, highlighting the strength of community-led stewardship in Bolton’s green spaces.
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
Plans for future green space improvements include restoration of the Rock Garden at Moss Bank Park, bringing the cascade back to life, resurfacing pathways and adding handrails.
CCTV installation is also planned for Queens Park to improve safety.
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.
“Securing Green Flag status for five of our parks and green spaces reflects the significant progress we’ve made in improving biodiversity, upgrading facilities, and creating welcoming environments for residents and visitors alike.
“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.”