Ellon's Gordon Park in the running for national accolade
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Gordon MP Richard Thomson is encouraging support for Ellon’s Gordon Park as the UK’s Favourite Park in a nationwide public vote organised by green space charity Fields in Trust.
Local parks have acted as a sanctuary for so many people over the past few years and the UK's Favourite Parks award celebrates the contributions these spaces deliver for neighbourhoods and communities.
Mr Thomson said: "Gordon Park is a wonderful open green space in the heart of Ellon, enjoyed by so many people, young and old.
"It is such a pleasant, peaceful area which has given pleasure to many park users over the years and is sure to continue to do so for years to come.”
Not everyone has equal access to public parks. Research by Fields in Trust finds that around 2.8 million people across Great Britain live more than a 10-minute walk from their nearest park or green space.
The situation could get worse with a risk that lack of legal protection could lead to more green spaces being sold-off or developed.
Fields in Trust chief executive Helen Griffiths said: “Our nation’s parks have been so important during the pandemic, and it is vital that we celebrate them to help ensure they are protected for future generations.
"Our children and grandchildren deserve to have the same access to green space that we do, this is a significant moment to change the way we think about the contribution local green spaces make to our health, our wellbeing, our environment, and ultimately our futures.”
Gordon Park is one of 364 parks and green spaces in the running to be awarded UK’s Favourite Park 2022.
Voting is now open at www.fieldsintrust.org/favourite-parks and will close at noon on Thursday, August 18.
The parks with the most votes in each of Scotland, England, Wales and Northern Ireland will be named National Favourites and then the overall winner of the UK's Favourite Park 2022 will be decided.
Fields in Trust is an independent UK wide charity with nearly 100 years experience of championing and supporting parks and green spaces by protecting them for people to enjoy in perpetuity.
It works with landowners, community groups and policymakers to champion the value of parks and green spaces to achieve better protection for their future at both local and national level.
The UK’s Favourite Parks Award is a two-phase award. Firstly, any publicly accessible local green space was eligible to be nominated. All eligible nominations have progressed to a public vote.
At the close of voting, the parks with the most votes in each of Scotland, England, Wales and Northern Ireland will be named National Favourites and the overall winner of the UK's Favourite Park 2022 will be decided.
Any park placing within the top 20 per cent of nominations will receive recognition as a Local Favourite.
