Green Flag Award

31st May 2024 - The Green Flag Inspectors visited the park today.  They spent over an hour studying the many historical features of the park and learing of the recent work resulting from our sucvcessful Heritage Lottery Bid.  They were accompnied by representaives of Hyndburn Borough Council, Friends of Memorial Park, Proffitts CIC, Prospects Foundation and Wildlife Trust.

The Green Flag Award is an international accreditation given to publicly accessible parks and open spaces.

The results of the inspection are expected to be announced in the Autumn 2024

28th June 2024

A new flag pole has appeared behind the Cenotaph as part of the current Heritage Lottery Funding programme.

The park has recently undergone a "Green Flag Inspection" and residents are hoping the park will attain Green Flag Status during the coming weeks.

If the park is successful in gaining a green flag, a second flagpole would be needed to fly the traditional Union Flag.

Watch this web site for any announcmemts.

17th July 2024 - Hyndburn Bourogh Council announce that Memorial Park has been awarded Green Flag status. Following the national 2024/25 Green Flag Award announcement, the council confirmed 11 Green Flag Awarded parks and green spaces, setting a new record for the highest number of any district in Lancashire. The newest addition to the list is Memorial Park in Great Harwood, which achieved the Green Flag Award after significant investment from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, Hyndburn
 Borough Council, and the Lancashire Environmental Fund. This success was made possible through the dedication and support of many organisations and local people. 

Using money raised by National Lottery players, The National Lottery Heritage Fund supports projects that connect people and communities with the UK’s heritage. The improvements to Memorial
 Park are made possible with The National Lottery Heritage Fund. Thanks to National Lottery players, we have been able to honour the park’s historical significance and provide a tranquil setting for remembrance. 

The Green Flag Award is an international quality mark for parks and green spaces, recognising and rewarding well-managed areas. It sets the benchmark standard for the management of recreational
 outdoor spaces across the UK and around the world. The scheme aims to ensure that everyone has access to quality green spaces, promote good management practices, and recognise the hard work of managers, staff, and volunteers. 

Ian Wilkinson, Chair of the Friends of Memorial Park, expressed his pride in the park's first-ever Green Flag Award:   "This is a momentous achievement for Memorial Park and the entire Great Harwood community. The Green Flag Award is a testament to the tireless efforts of our Friends group, working hand
 in hand with the Council and various organisations. It's been a true collaborative effort, and we're thrilled to see our beloved park recognised at this level. So much work has gone into enhancing Memorial Park by us and others“ 

18th August 2024 - Ian Wilkinson, Chair of Friends of Memorial Park, was invited to officially unfurl the Green Flag by the mayor at the park launch event “Picnic in the Park”.

15th May 2025 - A second inspection of the park took place today.  The judge was escorted around the park by representatives from FoMP, Prospects Foundation and the Council.  Overall the judge seemed very pleased with the standard presented.  Results of the judging should be announced shortly.

23rd July 2025 - HBC Officers confirm that our park has been awarded its second green flag.