Charity Competition to Promote Community Greenspaces
Alyn Smith MP is encouraging support for Mugdock Country Park as the UK’s Favourite Park, in a nationwide public vote organised by green space charity Fields in Trust.
The park is one of Scotland’s most popular visitor attractions, with figures from Stirling Council boasting around 600,000 visitors per year. Spread over the boundaries of Stirling and East Dunbartonshire, the park has a long, proud history and hosts several outdoor activities – including walking and hiking trails, horse riding, archery and more.
Research by Fields in Trust found that around 2.8 million people across Great Britain live more than a ten-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.
The public online vote closes at noon on Thursday 18th August 2022, with the four Home Nation winners shortlisted before Fields in Trust announce the UK’s favourite Park 2022. In addition, any park within the top 20% of votes will receive recognition as a Local Favourite.
Stirling MP Alyn Smith said:
‘Stirling enjoys some of the finest natural beauty and heritage in all of Scotland, and I’m delighted to see Mugdock Country Park nominated for such a prestigious award. The past few years really have brought home the great attractions we have on our doorsteps – our local parks have acted as a sanctuary for so many residents and visitors through tough times. I wish the park and community the very best of luck, and hope to visit again very soon.’
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.’
Notes:
- Mugdock Country 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 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.
- Fields in Trust is an independent UK wide charity with nearly 100 years’ experience of championing and supporting our parks and green spaces by protecting them for people to enjoy in perpetuity. Because once lost, they are lost forever. Fields in Trust works with landowners, community groups and policymakers to champion the value of our parks and green spaces to achieve better protection for their future at both the local and national level.
- Attached in a picture from Mugdock Country Park, source.
