Could Bitts Park be Crowned the Best Park in the UK?

The charity Fields in Trust is asking the public to vote for the UK’s favourite park.

Bitts Park has been nominated for the Fields in Trust UK’s Best Park, as voted by YOU! Award and now needs public votes to win. A total of 214 parks and green spaces have been nominated across the UK. Bitts Park is one of 17 parks in the North West region that have been shortlisted. Now it is time to choose the winners; cast your vote at: http://www.fieldsintrust.org/bestpark/northwest before November 9th.

John Stevenson MP said:

“We are very lucky in Carlisle to have such lovely surroundings just a short walk from the city centre. Bitts Park is accessible for everyone and provides a fantastic range of activities.

“After the floods, extensive work was needed to bring Bitts Park back to health. It is vital that we make the most of our open spaces and take care of them for future generations.

“I think it is important that we show our support in voting for Bitts Park to win this award so that one of the city’s gems can be recognised.”

Fields in Trust Chief Executive Helen Griffiths said:

“Parks and open spaces are arguably the most universal of all public services. They are used by the entire community from pre-school children through to retired adults – our nation’s parks and green spaces are places to enjoy life experiences, whether that’s reaching a personal sporting milestone, teaching grandchildren to cycle, engaging with nature, having a first kiss or simply walking a much loved dog.

“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 that operates throughout the UK to safeguard recreational spaces and campaign for better statutory protection for all kinds of outdoor sites.

The park with the most public votes in each of England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland will be shortlisted and nominators will be invited to attend the prestigious Fields in Trust Annual Awards at Lord’s Cricket Ground in November where the UK’s Best Park, as voted by YOU! 2016 will be named.