Sheffield's parks win 18 Green Flag awards

Sheffield has been named as one of England's greenest cities after almost 20 of its parks and woodlands won coveted Green Flag awards.

Keep Britain Tidy handed out 18 Green Flags to public spaces in Sheffield in 2024-5 - more than were won by Nottingham, Birmingham, Manchester, Leeds, Liverpool or Newcastle.

Green Flags recognise parks that are well-maintained and managed for both users and nature.

The achievement was reported to Sheffield City Council's communities, parks and leisure committee this week.

The committee receives regular reports on standards of all the services that it oversees, including parks, leisure services, libraries, bereavement operations and youth and communities services.

The percentage of city public spaces that are maintained to a standard set by the council was 85% in 2024-25.

The council's ambition is for all publicly accessible green open space under its stewardship to meet the standard by 2030.

The target set for 2025-26 is 88%. Performance in this area has seen a 10% increase over the last two years, a report to councillors said.

The recent focus has been on improving allotments and woodlands, and sites in east, south-east and north-east Sheffield are being targeted in 2025-26.

Meersbrook Park, Sheffield General Cemetery and Pound's Park are among the green spaces to have received a Green Flag award.

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