Six of Wolverhampton's most beloved green spaces have been officially recognised for their outstanding quality, retaining their coveted Green Flag Awards. The international mark of excellence, awarded by the environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy, highlights the city's commitment to maintaining beautiful, accessible, and well-managed parks for residents and visitors alike.
Celebrating Continued Excellence Across the City
Bantock Park, East Park, and West Park have now proudly held their Green Flag status for an impressive seven consecutive years. Pendeford Mill Nature Reserve has maintained the award for six years, while Phoenix Park celebrates its fourth year of recognition. Fowlers Park has also successfully retained the flag for a second year running.
Councillor Bhupinder Gakhal, the City of Wolverhampton Council's cabinet member for resident services, expressed her delight at the news. "What fabulous news! We are delighted that six of our brilliant beauty spots have retained their prestigious Green Flag status," she said. "We are very proud of all our parks in Wolverhampton; they are wonderful spaces for our residents and attract many visitors to the city."
East Park's Spectacular New Play Area
A major highlight contributing to the city's success is the transformative new play area at East Park, which opened last summer. This inclusive facility is designed for children of all ages and abilities, featuring:
- A exciting splash pad for water play.
- A dedicated toddler zone with cradle swings and a trampoline.
- A junior area complete with climbing walls and a multi-play unit.
- A teenage section boasting a pendulum swing and giant slides.
The entire area has been designed with inclusivity at its heart, offering ramped access for wheelchair users, hand grips, and tactile play panels. This ensures children of all confidence levels and abilities can play together seamlessly.
Councillor Gakhal added, "This summer marks the first year of the amazing transformation to the play area in East Park and I know it has brought a lot of fun and enjoyment to our local families."
A Vital Resource for Community Wellbeing
Paul Todd MBE, Keep Britain Tidy’s Green Flag Award Scheme Manager, congratulated all involved. He emphasised the vital role these spaces play, stating they provide places for communities to socialise, enjoy nature, and for children to play safely. "They provide important opportunities for park users to improve their physical and mental health," he noted.
Mr Todd also praised the relentless work of council staff, volunteers, and local 'Friends of' groups, who work tirelessly to uphold the high standards required by the award. He stressed the importance of maintaining these free-to-use spaces to a high standard, ensuring they are accessible for everyone while protecting the environment.
Wolverhampton's Award-Winning Green Spaces at a Glance
Bantock Park: This 40-acre park is home to Bantock House and offers wide open spaces, a nature trail, play area, football pitches, a pitch and putt course, and a visitors’ café.
East Park: Spanning 45 acres, it features the new children's play area, a cycle speedway track, multi-games courts, and football pitches.
Pendeford Mill Nature Reserve: A site of significant environmental and historical importance, with almost 60 acres of naturally-managed countryside dating to the 13th century, abundant with wildlife.
West Park: Set around a stunning lake, this 45-acre Victorian landscaped park is a 10-minute walk from the city centre and is considered one of England's best-preserved examples of its kind.
Phoenix Park: Offers outdoor fitness equipment, wildlife interpretation panels, a wildflower meadow, a children’s play area, a seated amphitheatre, two ball courts, shelters, and woodland.
Fowlers Park: Recent improvements include the creation of wildflower meadows, enhancements to the park lake, new signage, better disability access, and tree planting to encourage wildlife.
The council encourages everyone to visit these award-winning parks and reserves throughout the year to enjoy their beauty and the many benefits of green spaces.
