Five parks across Sunderland are proudly raising prestigious Green Flags after receiving international quality marks.
Sunderland City Council will raise the flags at Barnes Park, Herrington Country Park, Hetton Lyons Country Park, Mowbray Park and Roker Park.
The Green Flag Award scheme, managed by environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy under contract from the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government, recognises and rewards well-managed parks and green spaces.
The awards are the internationally recognised standard for parks and green spaces.
Councillor Bill Blackett, Sunderland City Councilโs Cabinet Member for Environment,ย Transport and Enforcement, said:
โIt is fantastic to see five of Sunderlandโs parks recognised with Green Flag awards once again.
โOur city has some beautiful parks and green spaces, and seeing five of them named among the best in the country is something we can all be proud of. These prestigious awards are testament to the hard work and dedication that goes into maintaining them.โ
Sunderlandโs five winners are among 2,391 in the UK to achieve the award for 2026/27, as the Green Flag Awards celebrates its 30th year.
Paul Todd MBE, Green Flag Award Manager at Keep Britain Tidy, said:ย
โParks are essential public spaces that support our wellbeing, our communities and our economy. Yet for millions of people, particularly in the most deprived areas, local parks simply donโt feel safe or welcoming.
โWith public services under pressure, investing in parks is not a luxury, itโs a practical, preventative solution and one of the most visible ways to improve peopleโs quality of life.
โSunderlandโs winners have shown what can be achieved when parks are properly supported and managed. As we celebrate 30 years of the Green Flag Award, we want every community to have access to green spaces like this that are safe, welcoming and maintained to a high standard.
โCongratulations to everyone involved.โ
