Duthie Park in Aberdeen has been shortlisted in the UK’s Best Park competition by national charity Fields in Trust.
A total of 122 UK parks were nominated and more than 8,000 votes have been cast – the contest is entirely decided by public votes.
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.
Duthie Park in Aberdeen, which is owned by Aberdeen City Council, was nominated by Aberdeen-based parenting blogger Lifewithmunchers.com as: “Not only is it host to regular events for the city, but as the home of the Winter gardens, boating pond, vast green areas and the most outstanding kids’ play areas, this park is a great all-rounder for a family day out”.
Aberdeen City Council Communities, Housing and Infrastructure vice-convener Councillor Jean Morrison said: “Not only was Duthie nominated for the award along with Seaton Park, but for it to be shortlisted to three is really good news.
“Our parks teams and the volunteer groups who make Duthie Park look fantastic and ensure it is a great place to visit year-round should be commended as it’s their work which has led to the shortlisting.
“We look forward to the awards night and fingers crossed for Duthie Park.”
Duthie Park comprises of 44 acres situated beside the River Dee within easy walking, cycling and bus journey of the city centre. The 134-year-old park had a £5 million refurbishment and re-opened in 2013, with funding provided by the Heritage Lottery Fund and Aberdeen City Council.
It has the biggest range of facilities of all the city’s parks including water features, playparks, Japanese Garden, and year-round facilities in the Winter Gardens and café.. It also has great walks around, and from the park, such as Old Deeside Railway Line and the River Dee.
The Fields in Trust’s annual awards ceremony on Wednesday, December 2 celebrates the great work being done in parks and playgrounds across the UK.
Fields in Trust chief executive Helen Griffiths said: “Duthie Park has received lots of local support throughout the nomination and voting process which demonstrates just how much it is loved and enjoyed by the entire community.
“The park really is flying the flag for Scotland and we wish the council team the very best of luck at the awards ceremony!”
The two other parks who made the shortlist for the award are Gheluvelt Park in Worcester which has been nominated because of its interactive water feature, play area and gardens, and Telford Town Park in Telford because of its sensory garden and fantastic mix of biodiversity.
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. Founded in 1925 as the National Playing Fields Association by King George V, its mission is the same now and as it was then - to ensure that everyone, whether young or old, able-bodied or disabled and wherever they live, should have access to free, local outdoor space for sport, play and recreation.
The charity safeguards more than 2,500 sites which is a total of 28,000 acres of land including playgrounds, playing fields, and formal and informal parkland across the UK.
More information on the competition is available from the website www.fieldsintrust.org. Voting has now closed.