Park is among UK’s top 10
PUBLIC VOTE RECOGNISES 10 YEARS OF HARD WORK
A COUNTY park has been voted one of the top 10 in the UK for the first time.
Almost 50,000 votes were cast as the nation picked their favourites in 2019 People’s Choice, and Hollycroft Park, in Hinckley, emerged as one of the winners.
With more than 1,800 sites to choose from – all of which meet the standards demanded by the international Green Flag Award programme – it is a major accolade for the town park.
Stuart Bray, leader of Hinckley and Bosworth Council, said: “It’s fantastic news, thank you to everyone who has voted for Hollycroft Park.
“To be recognised as one of the top ten favourite parks in the country rightly recognises the amazing contribution of our staff, the Friends of Hollycroft Park and all our volunteers and the visitors who make this park such a great place to visit at the heart of our community.
“This vote is the result of years of dedication from a large number of people - it does them all credit. For the past 10 years the park has a received a Green Flag Award but now to have been selected to receive for the first time a People’s Choice Award is a great accolade. It highlights how important Hollycroft Park is to the local community.
“As a borough Hinckley and Bosworth has lots of excellent green spaces and with this award we hope further visitors will come and explore what our area can offer.”
Paul Todd, Green Flag Award manager, said: “We know that parks matter to people and that receiving a Green Flag Award brings a real sense of achievement and pride to staff, volunteers and the community”
“The number of people that took the time to vote for their favourite park is testament to how much these spaces are valued and we congratulate this year’s top ten.”
Viscount Younger, the Parks and Green Spaces Minister, said: “Britain’s parks and green spaces are peaceful havens for people of all ages - places to meet neighbours, find relaxation, to exercise and learn about nature and the environment.
“It is fantastic to see so many people support and cheer their favourite parks every year for the Green Flag People’s Choice Awards.
“These awards celebrate the dedication of all those in the community who work tirelessly to ensure the whole community can enjoy the best of what our parks have to offer. Thanks and congratulations to everyone behind this year’s favourites.”