Balloch Castle Country Park has been nominated as the best park in the country in a UK-wide competition organised by national parks charity the Fields in Trust.
Local MP Martin Docherty-Hughes has praised Balloch Castle Country Park as a much-loved public space in West Dunbartonshire, and is urging local residents to show their support by casting their votes ahead of the deadline on Friday 3 November 2017.
The UK’s Best Park Award gives the public the opportunity to vote for their favourite local green space and Balloch Castle Country Park is one of 35 parks in Scotland to be put forward. The top park in each of England, Scotland Wales and Northern Ireland will be shortlisted before the winner is announced at the Fields in Trust Awards Ceremony on 29th November.
Martin Docherty-Hughes, MP for West Dunbartonshire, said:
“Balloch Castle Country Park is a much-loved public space in West Dunbartonshire, which attracts visitors from all over to enjoy its natural beauty and stunning views across Loch Lomond. Having celebrated its centenary last year, I’m delighted that Balloch Castle Country Park has been recognised as one of the best parks in the UK.
“I hope everyone who values Balloch Castle Country Park will take the opportunity to show their support and cast their votes ahead of the competition deadline on Friday 3 November.”
Fields in Trust Chief Executive, Helen Griffiths, said:
“Despite their clear health benefits, parks and green spaces are facing an uncertain future. The UK’s Best Park Award celebrates the parks and green spaces which are so vital to the communities that use them.
“Recognising the UK’s Best Park is a way of revaluing our green spaces and identifying the benefits they bring; access to good quality recreational space can contribute to the physical and mental health of their local population and provide places for people to get together for community events.”
To vote for Balloch Castle Country Park as the UK’s best park visit: www.fieldsintrust.org/bestpark/scotland