Seventeen Green Flags for Birmingham parks and cemeteries

Birmingham has 17 of the country's best parks and green spaces, according to this year's Green Flag Awards.

Kings Norton Park has won Green Flag status for the first time, while 14 other city parks have kept theirs. Sutton Coldfield Crematorium and Kings Norton Cemetery have also retained their awards.

A mark of quality

The Green Flag Award, run by Keep Britain Tidy, recognises the best parks and green spaces across the country. A Green Flag flying over a park tells visitors that it meets the highest standards, is beautifully maintained and has excellent facilities.

The winners this year are Aston Park, Cannon Hill Park, Castle Vale Centre Park, Cotteridge Park, Eastside Park, Handsworth Park, Kings Heath Park, Kings Norton Cemetery, Kings Norton Park, the Lickey Hills Country Park, Newhall Valley Country Park, Perry Hall Park, Selly Oak Park, Sunset and Moonlit Parks, Sutton Coldfield Crematorium, Victoria Common and Ward End Park.

"Essential to our quality of life"

Councillor Lisa Trickett, cabinet member for clean streets, recycling and environment, said she was delighted that so many of the city's green spaces had again been recognised, including Kings Norton Park, which brings the number of Green Flag parks in Birmingham to 15.

"Our parks and green spaces are part of what makes our city so great and are essential to our quality of life, whether they are encouraging people to get active, fit and healthy, or simply providing a peaceful space for quiet reflection and remembrance," she said.

"These awards are a testament to the hard work of our officers, community groups and volunteers, who all play a vital role in keeping our green spaces well maintained for the benefit of all who use them."

From country parks to city squares

The list covers a wide range of spaces. At one end is the Lickey Hills Country Park on the city's southern edge, with its woodland and views across the city. At the other is Eastside Park, one of the newest parks in the city centre, next to Millennium Point.

Cannon Hill Park, one of the city's best-loved parks, opened in 1873 and remains one of the most visited green spaces in Birmingham. Handsworth Park and Aston Park, laid out in Victorian times, are both important green spaces for the inner city.

The inclusion of a cemetery and a crematorium may surprise some, but both are recognised for their peaceful grounds and careful upkeep.

A busy summer

The awards come as Birmingham's parks enter their busiest season, with families heading out during the school holidays and events taking place across the city. Earlier this year, the council's parks team also won a sixth successive gold medal at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show.

For residents, the awards are a reminder of the green spaces on their doorstep. For the volunteers and friends groups who give their time to look after them, they are recognition of a job well done.