Hednesford Park has been nominated for the Fields in Trust UK’s Best Park, as voted by YOU! Award and local MP Amanda Milling is encouraging constituents to support the nomination in a public vote.
Over the last few weeks 360 nominations have been received by Fields in Trust for parks and green spaces that are a much-loved part of their local communities. Now it is time to choose the winners; you can cast your vote at http://www.fieldsintrust.org/bestpark/westmidlands.
Amanda Milling said: “Hednesford Park is a great local park and the local community has invested huge amounts time and effort to improvements. Many local community groups, including the Friends of Hednesford Park, have shown the fantastic community spirit. So many members of the community have worked together to improve the park’s facilities and appeal to the public. Voting for the park in this competition is a great way to show your appreciation for the hard work and efforts of the local community. “
Across the UK nominations include large nature reserves and small community gardens, sports fields and playgrounds, each one a green space valued by the local community. Fields in Trust is a national charity that operates throughout the UK to safeguard recreational spaces and campaign for better statutory protection for all kinds of outdoor sites. Hednesford Park is one of 360 nominated parks across the UK. The park with the most votes in each of England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland will be shortlisted and nominators will be invited to attend the prestigious Fields in Trust Awards at Lord’s Cricket Ground in November where theUK's Best Park, as voted by YOU! 2017 will be named.
Fields in Trust Chief Executive, Helen Griffiths, said: "Despite their clear health benefits, parks and green spaces are facing an uncertain future. The UK’s Best Park Award celebrates the parks and green spaces which are so vital to the communities that use them. Recognising the UK's Best Park is a way of revaluing our green spaces and identifying the benefits they bring; access to good quality recreational space can contribute to the physical and mental health of their local population and provide places for people to get together for community events."
Fields in Trust legally safeguards over 2,700 parks, playing fields, playgrounds, recreation grounds and other open spaces throughout the UK – a total of 12,000 hectares (30,000 acres).