New status to protect parks welcomed

Residents voted Wellholme Park in Brighouse and Centre Vale Park in Todmorden as their favourite parks to receive this special protection.

The voting took place as part of the Queen Elizabeth II Fields Challenge, a campaign organised by national charity Fields in Trust, to mark Her Majesty the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee in 2012 and the London 2012 Olympics.

The aim is to protect more than 2,000 outdoor recreational spaces in communities across the country as a permanent living legacy of these events.

Calderdale Council put forward 18 parks and playing fields to go to the public vote.

With their new status, the winners will be able to apply for funding to protect them for ever.

Calderdale Council’s Cabinet member for Communities, Coun Pauline Nash, said:

“I’m thrilled that two Calderdale parks have received such a prestigious award and can help create a lasting legacy of Her Majesty the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee and the London 2012 Olympics.

“Our parks are an important part of our environment, and they have a big part to play in contributing to people’s health and wellbeing.

“The Queen Elizabeth II Fields Challenge has given us the fantastic chance to preserve the land, facilities and opportunities for sport, play and outdoor recreation both now and forever.

“Thank you to all the Calderdale residents who took the time to vote for their favourite parks.”

Alison Moore-Gwyn, Chief Executive of Fields in Trust, said she was delighted that thousands of people across the country have shown support for their local parks and playing fields.

“The passion they have shown for their local parks is exactly the community spirit that is so vital to the Queen Elizabeth II Fields Challenge.”