Manchester’s newest urban park Mayfield has been granted the Green Flag Award, an international award scheme that recognises and rewards well-managed parks and green spaces.
Judges said that they had ‘never seen such an outstanding urban park in 20+ years of judging’.
“In our 20+ years of judging we have never seen such an outstanding urban park. The original design and specification standards are exceptional, the facilities are of the highest standard and the site security and cleansing is excellent. The play facilities are inspired and exciting, the horticultural and arboricultural standards are brilliant, and the biodiversity of the site is cared-for and blooming. It was a real pleasure and privilege to be the first to judge this world-class park.”
Since opening, Mayfield Park has been celebrated as ‘an inspiring benchmark for the park of the future’ by respected horticulturist Nigel Dunnett and applauded for challenging the perception of what a modern urban park can be. Among the eight national and international awards it has received this year are accolades for excellence in landscape design, place regeneration and the natural environment.
“We’re thrilled to win this prestigious award for Mayfield Park. This is recognition to all those who helped to create and deliver this incredible green space and to the management team who ensure every day that it is a vibrant, welcoming and safe space for everyone to enjoy. It’s a joy to come to work every day here and see kids playing and people from across the region coming to visit.
“Providing access to quality green space for the people of Manchester, irrespective of where they live, is at the core of our vision for the transformation of Mayfield, and it will be the reason thousands of people will choose to live and work here in the future.
“Urban parks like ours bring huge value to our neighbourhoods both in terms of their economic value in developing and transforming our cities, and the social and environmental value they can bring to people and the planet. We are so proud to have integrated nature and ecology back into Manchester city-centre and we hope to be flying the Green Flag over Mayfield Park for many years to come.”
The previously concealed River Medlock, which runs through the site, has been opened, providing a flood defence for the rest of the city with the capability to hold 12 Olympic swimming pools worth of water and a new wet-dry habitat which has encouraged the beginnings of a new ecosystem, already home to a rich variety of fish, birds and plant life. The soft, almost wild planting design follows a naturalistic aesthetic that crosses the line between civic space and urban garden – something that is completely at odds with the average park in the UK.
Manchester General Cemetery, in Harpurhey, has been awarded a Green Flag this year – the first in its history.
No longer a working cemetery, Harpurhey Cemetery had over time succumbed to anti-social behaviour and littering, sadly diminishing its overall amenity. However, through the hard work of the Philips Park Cemetery team, improvements have made been across the board in Harpurhey which has resulted in this historic first Green Flag award.
The Manchester cemeteries which have retained their existing Green Flag status are Blackley, Gorton, Philips Park and the Southern Cemetery.
There were also celebrations for the city’s parks, with Heaton Park and Wythenshawe Park – two of the city’s most beloved green spaces – have retained their green flag status as well.
