UK’s Favourite Park 2022: six Manchester green spaces nominated for prestigious award - how you can vote

Six Manchester parks are in the running for a prestigious award recognising the UK’s best-loved community green space.

Cringle Park, Debdale Park, Didsbury Park, Fletcher Moss Park, Nutsford Vale and Highfield Park have all been nominated for the UK’s Favourite Park 2022 accolade given out by Fields in Trust.

The award recognises the urban green spaces where local people most like to spend their time and which best serve the needs of the communities living nearby.

The public is now being asked to vote for which park should be the winner.

What is the award and which Manchester parks could win it?

Half a dozen Manchester parks have been shortlisted for the award, with each nomination having a short description of why it was put forward for the prize.

No fewer than three of the six green spaces in the city which have been shortlisted are in Levenshulme.

The nomination for Cringle Park described it as a “godsend” for the community during Covid-19 and says it is very well used by the public, while Nutsford Vale Park was hailed after being created on the site of a former rubbish tip while Highfield Park was described as a regenerated space with an active friends’ group which organises a variety of activities there.

Also nominated was Debdale Park in Gorton, with the description praising the volunteers who maintain it and facilities including a wellbeing hub and nature centre.

The other two Manchester nominees are in Didsbury. Didsbury Park was described as “a credit” to the area with its play areas for children, cafe and pavilion, while Fletcher Moss Park was picked for its wildlife and woodland areas, its tea house and its location for events such as a parkrun.

The UK’s Favourite Park 2022 is open to any urban green space in the country and can reflect any of the various ways people living near their local park value it. This year’s award also specifically recognises areas which were vital to residents living through the Covid-19 pandemic during the past couple of years.

The nominations were put forward by residents who live in the area and love their local park.

How do I vote for my favourite?

Voting is done via the Fields in Trust website here. Voting closes at noon on Thursday 18 August.

After that national awards will be handed out to the green spaces with most votes in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, before the one with the highest total of all gets the accolade of the UK’s Favourite Park 2022.

What has Manchester City Council said about the nominations?

Manchester City Council has spoken of its pride at six of the city’s green spaces being shortlisted for the award and said it recognises the important role such open areas play in the lives of residents.

Coun Lee-Ann Igbon, executive member for vibrant neighbourhoods, said: “Having six of our parks nominated is such a massive achievement. In Manchester, we love our parks and green spaces and if any of our brilliant parks nominated won this award it would be a fantastic achievement.

“It’s great to have some recognition of all the hard work and time that has been spent making our parks top- notch. I also want to thank the local volunteers and park staff for their commitment to make our green spaces enjoyable. And to all the residents of Manchester my message is - get voting!”

What have the organisers said?

Chief executive of Fields in Trust, Helen Griffiths, said: “We’re absolutely delighted to see that hundreds of parks and green spaces have been nominated up and down the country, including six parks in Manchester.

“It is heartening to hear the individual stories of significance for these spaces and this process has only emphasised the collective importance of having natural areas in our communities.

“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, and benefit from the contribution local green spaces make to our health, our wellbeing, our environment, and ultimately our futures.”