John Stevenson MP for Carlisle is encouraging support for Bitts Park and Hammond’s Pond as the UK’s Favourite Park in a nationwide public vote organised by green space charity, Fields in Trust. www.fieldsintrust.org/favourite-parks
Commenting John said “Both Bitts Park and Hammond’s Pond are beautiful areas in Carlisle, well used by local people and visitors with many recreational opportunities for all ages. It would be wonderful for Carlisle’s parks to be recognised with this award. I’ve voted and I hope you will lend your support too.”
Our local parks have acted as a sanctuary for so many of us over the past few years and the UK’s Favourite Parks award celebrates the contributions these spaces deliver for our neighbourhoods and communities. Yet not everyone has equal access. Research by Fields in Trust finds that around 2.8 million people across Great Britain live more than a ten-minute walk from their nearest park or green space.
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.”
Bitts park and Hammond’s Pond are two 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 18th August 2022. The parks with the most votes in each of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland will be named National Favourites and the overall winner the UK’s Favourite Park 2022.