Search is on to find Britain’s best park

The charity Fields in Trust has launched a campaign to find the UK’s best park, as part of its annual awards.

Organisations and people can nominate their local park online with a short 50-word description about why their park is the best in the country.

Nominations close on October 13 and the winner will be announced at the annual Fields in Trust Awards, which this year is being held at Lord’s Cricket Ground on November 29.

‘Our awards help recognise the role that our local parks play in our neighbourhoods, bringing people together and creating a safe outdoor environment that should be available to everyone,’ said charity chief executive, Helen Griffiths.

‘We want to celebrate all the much-loved green spaces and invite all park users to vote for their favourite.’

The awards are being held as Fields in Trust highlights the direct links between parks and green spaces and health and wellbeing.

According to new research by the charity, visiting a park at least once a week gives an individual between 64% and 73% of the benefits to general health and wellbeing.

It also states families are twice as likely (33%) to be users of parks than non-users (18%).

Last week, the government announced details of a new parks action group, which will help address some of the issues faced by parks and green spaces across England.

The group will be chaired by local government minister Marcus Jones and include representatives from various organisations, including Ms Griffiths from Fields in Trust.

‘Parks and open spaces are arguably the most universal of all public services,’ added Ms Griffiths.

‘They are used by the entire community from pre-school children through to retired adults – our nation’s parks and green spaces are places to enjoy life experiences, whether that’s reaching a personal sporting milestone, teaching grandchildren to cycle, engaging with nature, having a first kiss or simply walking a much-loved dog.

‘We want to ensure that we value parks and green spaces and take account of the vital contribution they make to local communities.’

• Photo shows last year’s winner, Rouken Glen Park in East Renfrewshire.

Photo by TheTechDave