Newhaven’s Starbank Park is one of six in Edinburgh in the running for the Fields in Trust UK’s Best Park, as voted by YOU! Award. Competition will be tough – 360 parks and green spaces from all corners of the British Isles were nominated by the public.
Votes can be cast for Blackford Hill, Figgate Park, Hermitage of Braid, Lochend Park, Starbank Park and Holyrood Park (below), which is managed by Historic Environment Scotland, on the Fields in Trust website.
Nominations from across the UK include large nature reserves and small community gardens, sports fields and playgrounds, each one a green space valued by the local community.
Transport and Environment Convener, Councillor Lesley Macinnes, said: “We’re extremely proud of our parks here in Edinburgh, from the hidden gems to the sprawling green spaces, and recognise the benefits they bring to the public’s health, well-being and general quality of life.
“We’re delighted that some of these havens are in the running for the UK’s Best Park, including wildlife hotspot Figgate Park and Blackford Hill, which affords one of the most spectacular views of the city, and would encourage Capital park lovers to make their votes count!”
Fields in Trust Chief Executive, Helen Griffiths, said: “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; not viewing them just as a drain on resources for maintenance and upkeep – but seeing what 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 is a national charity which legally safeguards over 2,700 parks, playing fields, playgrounds, recreation grounds and other open spaces throughout the UK.
The park with the most votes for UK’s Best Park in each of England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland will be shortlisted and nominators will be invited to attend the Fields in Trust Awards at Lord’s Cricket Ground in November where the UK’s Best Park, as voted by YOU! 2017 will be named.
Voting closes on Friday, 3 November. Find out more on the Fields in Trust website.
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