Give city’s parks the green light with vote

Wearsiders are being invited to pick their favourite park.

People have been invited to vote for their best location in the city and show the rest of the country how much they love our green spaces.

After ‘mystery shopper visits’, the experts had their say in July and Barnes Park, Herrington Country Park, Hetton Lyons Country Park, Mowbray Park and Roker Park all received prestigious Green Flag Awards – the mark of a quality park or green space.

Now, the Green Flag Awards are asking the nation to have its say and decide which parks and green spaces should receive the People’s Choice Award for being the UK’s favourites.

People are being asked to find the Sunderland parks on the winners map and click the voting button.

Councillor Amy Wilson, Sunderland City Council’s cabinet member for environment and transport who oversees the city parks, said: “As a city, we’ve had some great Green Flag results in recent years. Now, here’s a chance for all of us to show further appreciation and let the whole country know that we love our parks.

“Dozens of council staff and volunteers are working hard all year round to keep our parks in the best shape. Why not show your appreciation? I have.”

Once you’ve registered your vote, you can encourage others to get involved too through social media using the hashtag #PeoplesChoice.

Voting closes at the end of the month, with the top 10 sites being announced in the week beginning Monday, October 15.

Paul Todd, Green Flag Award Manager said: “This year 1,883 parks and green spaces met the tough standards demanded by our Green Flag Award Judges but we want to know which parks the UK public love the most.”