Blackpool’s
Stanley Park, has been voted by the public as the UK’s Best Park at the
prestigious annual Fields inTrust Awards 2017.
Designed
by celebrated landscape architect Thomas Mawson in the 1920s, the park which
boasts an Italian marble fountain, boating lake, bandstand, Medici lions,
Italian gardens and Art Deco styled café, has scooped the headline award at the
annual Fields in Trust Awards 2017.
Each year the Fields in Trust
Awards showcases some of the UK’s best open spaces and shines a light on the
efforts and achievements of the people whose tireless dedication ensures that
these vital outdoor spaces can be enjoyed by the public.
Now in their sixth year, the Awards
are organised by The Fields in Trust Charity, which counts His Royal Highness
The Duke of Cambridge as its President and protects the UK’s vital open spaces,
from sports pitches to children’s playgrounds, bicycle trails and country
parks, safeguarding them for future generations.
For the third year running, the UK's Best Park Award, voted for by the
public celebrates the nation's favourite park.
This year the public nominated 360 parks in total from across the UK with over
15,000 votes cast. Stanley Park, Blackpool beat off stiff competition from
three other finalists shortlisted, which included Craigavon City Park in County
Armagh, Roath Park in Cardiff and Rouken Glen Park in East Renfrewshire. The
award was presented by Fields in Trust Trustee Graeme Le Saux, at a celebratory
dinner on Wednesday night at Lord’s Cricket Ground in London, hosted by TV
sports broadcaster Jacqui Oatley.
Commenting on the UK’s Best Park Award 2017, Helen
Griffiths, Chief Executive of Fields in Trust said: “On behalf of everyone here
at Fields in Trust, I would like to congratulate Stanley Park. The UK’s Best
Park Award is open to any green space regardless of whether or not it is
protected in perpetuity with Fields in Trust.
"The
people of Blackpool have sent a clear message that they love their local park
and I hope that Blackpool Council will recognise this by working with us to
safeguard Stanley Park as a place for community sport, play and recreation
forever.”
Parks and Green Spaces Minister Marcus Jones said: “Many
congratulations to Stanley Park on being voted the UK’s Best Park 2017 in the
Fields in Trust Awards.
"The
public support shown for this park and all the finalists highlights just how
much the residents of Blackpool and local communities more widely care about
their treasured green spaces. Through the new Parks Action Group we have a
great opportunity to ensure our parks remain places to be proud of for
generations to come.”
Other successes of the night included Kimberley Mpukusa who
scooped the Young Champion Award. An avid tennis player, Kimberley has been
actively involved in the BME Sport Cymru project, engaging and inspiring women
and young people from BME communities. Her achievements in tennis alongside the
challenges she has overcome in her life, have been an inspiration to those
around her.
Friends
Group of the Year, an award which recognises the contribution of passionate
communities to their local parks, was awarded to Friends of Angel Meadow,
Manchester. The group was formed in 2004 to campaign for the park’s
regeneration, and since then has transformed an abandoned, unloved site into a
green retreat amid the bustle of the city.
Founded
in 1925, Fields in Trust are a national charity, who aim to ensure that
everyone in the UK, regardless of age and ability, has access to free, local
outdoor space for sport, play and recreation. Centred on the belief that green
spaces are vital in building happy and healthy communities, the charity works
to counter the threat of development to communal outdoor recreational areas.
Since
it was founded by King George V, Fields in Trust has been privileged to have
the support of the Royal Family. Her Majesty the Queen is Patron and The Duke
of Edinburgh was President of Fields in Trust for 64 years; today the charity
is honoured to have the His Royal Highness The Duke of Cambridge as its
President.
Commenting on this year’s Awards, Helen Griffiths, added: “On
behalf of the team at Fields in Trust I would like to congratulate all of
tonight’s winners.
"These
awards give us the opportunity to shine a light on some of the UK’s most
beautiful green spaces up and down the country.
"Despite
their undeniable contribution to the happiness and health of our communities
parks and outdoor spaces are often undervalued. This annual event not only
gives the public the opportunity to champion their favourite park, but allows
us to showcase some of the people and organisations that work tirelessly to
ensure the upkeep and community enjoyment of these wonderful spaces."
