PARKS in Cradley Heath and Oldbury have achieved the coveted Green Flag Award. 

Achieving the accreditation – the international quality mark for parks and green spaces – is testament to the hard work and dedication of the teams and volunteers that care for these sites for the benefit of residents and visitors alike.

The award means Sandwell’s 15 sites are officially recognised among the country’s best.

Over the past two years, Sandwell Council has made significant investment in its parks, play areas, outdoor sports facilities, nature reserves and other green open spaces, supported by a mix of council and external funding.

Twelve of Sandwell’s sites are managed by Sandwell Council (sites below are managed by Sandwell Council unless otherwise stated).

• Barnford Park, Oldbury

• Brunswick Park, Wednesbury

• Dartmouth Park, West Bromwich

• Fallings Heath Cemetery, Wednesbury

• Haden Hill Park, Cradley Heath

• Lightwoods Park, Bearwood, Smethwick

• Lions of the Great War, Smethwick – a Green Flag Award Community Winner (managed by Guru Nanak Gurdwara Smethwick)

• Red House Park, Great Barr

• Revolution Walk (Main Line Canal), Smethwick/Birmingham (managed by Canal & River Trust)

• Sandwell Valley Country Park, West Bromwich

• Sandwell Valley Crematorium, West Bromwich

• Tipton Cemetery • Victoria Park, Smethwick

• Victoria Park, Tipton

• Warley Woods, Bearwood (managed by Warley Woods Community Trust)

Councillor Suzanne Hartwell, Sandwell Council’s Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods and Community, said: “With a Green Flag park in each of our six towns, as well as cemetery and crematoria sites, canals and community spaces being recognised, I am very proud of Sandwell’s continuing success in these prestigious awards.

“Congratulations to all staff, community volunteers, Friends groups and partner organisations. Thank you to everyone.

“Whether for play or sport, for socialising or enjoying nature, or for having somewhere peaceful to remember your loved ones, our parks and other green spaces are so important for people’s physical and mental health.”

Councillor Keith Allcock, Cabinet Member for Environment and Highways, said: “I want to say a huge well done to all the staff and volunteers who help to keep our public spaces clean and tidy, and I also thank our residents of all ages who make such good use our fantastic parks and open spaces.

“It’s a big team effort! The Green Flag Awards that Sandwell has achieved again this year are a tribute to everyone’s ongoing hard work and dedication.”

Keep Britain Tidy’s Green Flag Award Scheme Manager Paul Todd MBE said: “I would like to congratulate everyone involved in achieving a Green Flag Award.

“We know that staff and volunteers work tirelessly to ensure that they maintain the high standards of the Green Flag Award, everyone involved should feel extremely proud of their achievement.”

The Green Flag Award scheme, managed by environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy under licence from the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government, recognises and rewards well-managed parks and green spaces, setting the benchmark standard for the management of green spaces across the United Kingdom and around the world.