This #MadeInSandwell Monday we are celebrating the borough’s parks and green spaces as 14 Green Flag awards have been retained at sites across Sandwell.

The Green Flag award is the international quality mark for parks and green spaces. Managed by environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy under license from the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, the awards scheme recognises and rewards well-managed parks and green spaces.

Over the past couple of years of restrictions and lockdowns our parks and green spaces have played a vital role for the wellbeing of the people of Sandwell, as they have provided places to relax, exercise and at times meet friends and family safely. 

The news that these sites have achieved the Green Flag award again is testament to the hard work and dedication of the teams that make the borough’s green spaces great places for everyone to benefit from.

The recently announced Green Flag sites #MadeInSandwell for 2022 are:

• Barnford Park, Oldbury
• Brunswick Park, Wednesbury
• Dartmouth Park, West Bromwich
• Haden Hill Park, Cradley Heath 
• Lightwoods Park, Bearwood
• Lions of the Great War, Smethwick 
• Red House Park, Great Barr
• Revolution Walk (Birmingham Main Line Canal), Smethwick
• Sandwell Valley Country Park, West Bromwich
• Sandwell Valley Crematorium, West Bromwich
• Tipton Cemetery
• Victoria Park, Smethwick
• Victoria Park, Tipton
• Warley Woods, Bearwood

Haden Hill Park has also retained the much-coveted Green Heritage Site accreditation, supported by Historic England, for the management of its historic features.

Councillor Laura Rollins, cabinet member for leisure and tourism, commented on the awards: ”It’s fantastic news that Sandwell has retained Green Flag status for these 14 sites due to the hard work and dedication of our friends groups, volunteers and staff who are working hard to make Sandwell a greener, cleaner borough.

“It’s a great achievement that Sandwell’s Green Flag list includes a park in each of the six towns, so that everyone in Sandwell can benefit from their space and atmosphere.”

Green Flag Award Scheme manager, Paul Todd, said: “I would like to congratulate everyone involved in making these sites worthy of a Green Flag Award.

“The achievement of these awards is testament to the hard work of the staff and volunteers who do so much to ensure the sites maintain the high standards demanded by the Green Flag awards.”

These awards set the benchmark standard for the management of green spaces across the United Kingdom and around the world. Being awarded them is yet another feather in Sandwell’s cap to attract visitors to the region and showcase all the wonderful attractions that we have to offer. 

Receiving the awards again in 2022 is a reminder to celebrate the wonderful community spaces we have for residents and visitors alike. Congratulations Sandwell!