03 December 2015
Green Flag Award winning Telford Town Park wins Fields In Trust Best Park Award.
Telford Town Park has won the title of 'UK's Best Park' after receiving the most number of public votes.
The win comes following a nationwide search by national charity, Fields in Trust (FiT), to find a green space worthy of claiming the title. The award was handed out last night (2nd Dec) at the charity's annual awards ceremony which took place at Lord's Cricket Ground in London.
The park was one of three parks from across the UK to be shortlisted for the award. A total of 122 UK parks were nominated and over eight thousand public votes were cast.
The FiT's award ceremony celebrates the great work being done in parks and play grounds across the UK. Eleven awards were handed out on the night, with this being the first year that the ceremony has featured a category voted entirely by the public.
Telford Town Park, which is owned by Telford & Wrekin Council, was nominated by a member of 'Friends of Telford Town Park', a group which started in 2003 to help give the park extra care and attention. The nomination was made because of the range of attractions available at the park and there being 'something for everyone', including a sensory garden, a mix of biodiversity, a nature reserve and formal gardens. A section of the field is protected with FIT as a Queen Elizabeth II Field*.
Chris Pettman, from The Friends of Telford Town Park, who nominated the park attended, last night's award ceremony. He, said: "We are absolutely thrilled to have won this award. The park acts as a real community hub and after lots of hard work to help improve its facilities by the council, the local community and the Friends of Telford Park group, it is fantastic that all that the park brings to the area has been recognised.
"We thank everyone who voted for the park and can't wait to celebrate the win with the community!"
Also accepting the award was Nicola Allen, Telford Town Park Manager, who said" This is a fantastic achievement for the whole team, work colleagues, senior officers, members of the council and the Friends of Telford Town Park. Just brilliant!"
The charity's search for the 'UK's Best Park' started around a month ago when communities from across the country were encouraged to nominate and vote for their favourite local park, sports field or playground they believed would be worthy of the title.
Local MP, Lucy Allan, said: "This is a great achievement and one that will be celebrated across Telford. The town park is arguably the jewel of Telford's crown and it is fantastic for it to receive this national award.
"Winning this award would not have been possible without the hard work and commitment shown by Telford and Wrekin Council and most importantly the Friends of Telford Town Park, who have volunteered thousands of hours since forming in 2003, and who make the town park the wonderful place it is."
The two other parks that made the shortlist for the award were Gheluvelt Park in Worcester which was nominated because of its interactive water feature, play area and gardens, and Duthie Park in Aberdeen because it plays host to regular events for the city, has a great kids' play area and is known as great all-rounder for a family day out.
Fields in Trust, which was founded 90 years ago by King George V, has a mission to ensure that everyone - young or old, able-bodied or disabled and wherever they live - should have access to free, local outdoor space for sport, play and recreation.
Helen Griffiths, Fields in Trust Chief Executive said: "We congratulate Friends of Telford Town Park and Telford & Wrekin Council on their award win. It was clear to see from the huge number of votes that the park received that it's an outdoor asset that is very much valued by the local community. Everyone who has contributed to helping make the park was it is today should be extremely proud of this achievement."
