National award for Sheffield's parks

It took home the local authority partner of the year prize in this year’s Fields in Trust awards, which recognises the efforts and achievements of those who look after parks and open spaces.

The Weston Park First World War Centenary Field also won a showcase award during the ceremony at Lord's cricket ground in London.

The council is trying to promote Sheffield's open spaces through The Outdoor City brand.

Cabinet member for culture, sport and leisure Mary Lea said: “We know that Sheffield’s green spaces are among the finest not just in the country, but in the world – as New York City’s parks commissioner Mitchell Silver confirmed on a visit to Weston Park and the Ponderosa.

“But it is still lovely to have this recognised at national events such as the Fields in Trust Awards, where parks experts from across the country can come together, share ideas and learn from each other.

“I hope that Sheffielders will continue to use and enjoy the city’s parks and perhaps take the time to seek out new beauty spots near home.

"With just over 800 green spaces across Sheffield, including 95 parks and recreation grounds, there must be several places that most people have never even been to.”

Read more:

Sheffield’s ‘green lungs’ shape the city through heritage, education, sport and communitySheffield communities reaping the rewards of urban regenerationSheffield’s three Fields in Trust sites are Weston Park, Woodhouse Mill recreation ground and Ochrie Dike playing fields in Waterthorpe, which is due to be confirmed at a ceremony next month.

Weston Park is the city’s only Centenary Field, a status that recognises all those who lost their lives in the First World War.

First opened in 1875, Weston Park was one of the first municipal parks in Sheffield. It has recently benefited from an extensive restoration project, partly thanks to Heritage Lottery funding, and has been granted national Green Flag Award status.

Sheffield Council nominated Weston Park as the city’s Centenary Field site, not only due to its landscape and its status as a visitor destination, but also due to the siting of the York and Lancaster Regiment memorial within the park, which commemorates the loss of more than 8,800 soldiers during World War One..

Woodhouse Mill recreation ground was dedicated as a Queen Elizabeth II Field as part of the 2012 Diamond Jubilee celebrations.

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