Green Flag Award has announced the winners of the 2018 People’s Choice vote for the UK.
One of the winners - Strathaven Park, South Lanarkshire Council
With more than 1,800 sites to choose from - all of which meet the high standards demanded by the Green Flag Award, the international quality mark for parks and green spaces - the public have chosen their top ten favourites.
The ten winners of the 2018 People’s Choice Award are:
- Cassiobury Park, Watford Borough Council
- Clifton Park, Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council
- Elsecar Park and Local Reservoir Nature Reserve, Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council
- Saltwell Park, Gateshead Council
- Strathaven Park, South Lanarkshire Council
- Telford Town Park, Telford and Wrekin Council
- University of Essex Wivenhoe Park, University of Essex
- Victoria Park (Tower Hamlets), London Borough of Tower Hamlets
- Victoria Park (Widnes), Halton Borough Council
- Warley Woods (Sandwell), Warley Woods Community Trust
Included in this year’s list of winners are a university campus, a town park, a woodland and a nature reserve.
Paul Todd, Green Flag Award manager, said, “We know that parks matter to people and that those tasked with looking after them have faced and are facing some significant challenges with shrinking resources.The number of people that took the time to vote for their favourite park is testament to how much they are valued and we would like to congratulate all the winners.”
Rishi Sunak MP, Parks and Green Spaces Minister, said, “Millions of people of all ages escape to our parks and green spaces every year to spend time with their loved ones, learn about nature and play sport. It’s inspiring to see people from all over the country get behind their favourite parks for this year’s Green Flag People’s Choice Awards. Rightfully so, these awards recognise the hard work and dedication of those individuals who are behind Britain’s best parks and green spaces. Thank you, and congratulations to you all.”
A spokesperson for Gateshead Council said, “We are delighted that Saltwell Park has been voted as one of the top ten parks in the country for the second year running. It shows that the public truly value this wonderful open space.
“We are very proud of Saltwell Park and how important it is to the local community.”