Aberdeen wins Best Parks Award

Aberdeen wins Britain's Best Parks Award

Hazlehead Park in Aberdeen has won this year's Britain's Best Parks competition. The park, managed and maintained by Aberdeen City Council, combines excellence in garden design and maintenance with facilities for every generation including a maze, pet's corner, crazy golf and a safe play area.

The competition sponsors, lawnmower engine manufacturers Briggs & Stratton, presented Aberdeen City Council with almost £3000 worth of lawn maintenance equipment and a plaque commemorating their historic win. The presentation ceremony was conducted at the IOG SALTEX exhibition on Tuesday 7th September.

Councillor Ronald Clark, chair of the Aberdeen in Bloom working group, and Victor McGihon, the horticultural services officer for Aberdeen City Council, were presented with the prize by the competition judges.

Bryan Peachey, general manager of competition sponsors Briggs & Stratton UK, said: "This is the second year we have run this competition and the quality of entrants has been outstanding. It is a delight to announce the winners as Aberdeen City Council and award them with their prize."

"At Briggs & Stratton, we believe that it is important to take care of the environment and maintain our public green spaces to the highest standard possible, so that everyone can enjoy them."

As a competition, Britain's Best Parks is in its second year and continues to grow in popularity. It is supported by The Sun, Horticulture Week and Public Sector & Local Government.

Sarah Sturt, Editor of Public Sector & Local Government magazine said: "It is important to support and acknowledge the hard work local authorities' parks departments play in designing, managing and maintaining our parks and public spaces, making them places to enjoy for people of all ages, walks of life and abilities. For many families and individuals, especially those in inner cities and built-up areas who do not have the benefit of their own green space, their local park is a real lifeline."

For more information on the competition visit www.britainsbestparks.co.uk.

Main Photo: L-R Back row: Cllr Ron Clark, Aberdeen City Council, Sarah Sturt, Editor of PSLG. Front row: Victor McGihon, Horticultural Services officer, Aberdeen City Council, Bryan Peachey, General manager Briggs & Straton UK.