Green for go for People's Choice park awards

An invitation has been made to nominate your choice of the one you like the most in your borough.

Of the record-breaking 2061 Green Flag Awards handed out to the UK’s parks and green spaces this year, Fylde received six of them and Wyre four.

The coveted status went in Fylde to Ashton Gardens and the Promenade Gardens in St Annes; Lowther Gardens and the War Memorial Gardens in Lytham; Fairhaven Lake, and Elswick Village Hall and Gardens, managed by Elswick Parish Council.

The Wyre quartet was Poulton’s Vicarage Park, Hawthorne Park in Thornton, Wyre Estuary Country Park in Stanah and Fleetwood’s Memorial Park.

The Green Flag scheme, managed by environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy under licence from the Government, recognises and rewards well-managed parks and green spaces across the country, and is now asking for the public to vote for the best of the best in People’s Choice Awards.

Closing date for nominations is Wednesday.

Coun Cheryl Little, chairman of Fylde Council’s tourism and leisure committee, said: “Every single park provides an invaluable service .

“A People’s Choice Award would further recognise the fantastic work that is done to maintain them for everyone to enjoy.”

Councillor Simon Bridge, Street Scene, Parks and Open Spaces Portfolio Holder at Wyre Council, said: “In lockdown and throughout this time of worry, our parks have provided a space for residents and visitors to enjoy nature, take a walk, play with their families, get active and just enjoy being outside.”

Paul Todd, International Green Flag Award Manager, said, “This year we have all seen the importance of our precious parks and green spaces. The People’s Choice Award is an opportunity to show how much your favourite park means to you.”

Keep Britain Tidy chief executive Allison Ogden-Newton added: “This year, more than ever, our parks and green spaces have been a lifeline.”

To vote for your favourite, visit the www.greenflagaward.org website, find the park of your choice on the winners’ map and click the vote button.

Voting closes Wednesday, with the top 10 winning sites announced on December 3.