Seventeen parks in the North East are in the running to be crowned the UK’s Favorite Park.
Ten in Tyne and Wear, three in Northumberland and four in County Durham have been nominated by locals who believe their park is the best in the country. The charity Fields in Trust runs the UK’s favorite parks competition, having legally protected parks and green spaces for over 90 years, with the aim of ensuring they will always be available for future generations to enjoy. benefit.
The list includes some of the best known parks in the North East, such as Saltwell Park in Low Fell and Leazes Park in Newcastle. However, there are some hidden gems – and also some notable omissions such as Jesmond Dene and Heaton Park.
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The current holder of the UK’s favorite park is Stanley Park in Blackpool, which topped the poll of 36,832 voters from 364 named parks and green spaces across the UK. Here are the Northeast parks that locals hope to knock from its perch and a description of each in the words of those who named it.
Tyne and Wear
Leazes Park, Newcastle
Newcastle’s first ‘People’s Park’ with a rich heritage and setting. Although he looks tired and a little desperate, he has the potential to pick himself up. It serves a diverse group of users, university students, hospital staff and patients, local residents and city visitors.
Monkton Dene Park, Jarrow
Many volunteers are passionate about the park, working very hard as a community to make it beautiful by organizing activities to bring the community together and working with area schools to get children to respect their parks and keep them clean .
Northern Marine Park, South Shields
(Image: copyright unknown)
A haven of calm during confinement. Stunning views of South Shields Harbour.
Nuns Moor Park, Newcastle
(Image: Newcastle Chronicle)
A large local park with play facilities, cafe and lovely old trees. A group of friends of the park maintains it, a real community meeting place.
Paddy Freeman Park, Heaton
(Image: UGC Lewis Bough)
It is a beautiful green space, perfect for sports, socializing and dog walking. It offers a magnificent view of the Dene and the waterfall. A great community spirit and a group of volunteers help maintain the park and walkways.
Read more: Barbecues banned in Northumberland parks due to high wildfire risk
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Readhead Park, South Shields
This park is well maintained by a group of local volunteer residents with regular litter pick-ups and maintenance. It has a nice playground for children, tennis courts and a basketball court and the doggies also love the large green spaces!
Rectory Park, Houghton-le-Spring
This park has become important during and after Covid, with residents and business people coming together to raise money for the Family Free Fundays in the park. It is a beautiful space that is well used for multiple purposes and by all ages.
Richardson Dees Park, Wallsend
(Image: MB PHOTOGRAPHY)
During the pandemic, it not only provided a source of exercise but also a source of serenity. There are several items for children here, including a play park, an outdoor gym, and a skate park.
Saltwell Park, Gateshead
The park is spacious and well equipped with children’s playgrounds, toilets, open spaces, a lake, an orchard, trees, a café, beautiful views and a variety of landscapes. Well maintained by Gateshead Council, it is also easily accessible by public transport and has free parking.
Southern Marine Park, South Shields
(Image: South Tyneside Council)
The park has a boating lake, children’s play areas, a bandstand for musical events, tiered grass seats, and the most fabulous little volunteer-run railway – the kids (and adults) love it.
Northumberland
Carlisle Park, Morpeth
Fantastic and well maintained park, something for all age groups. A joy to visit.
Gallagher Park, Bedlington
(Image: NCJ Media)
It has a great play park, great football pitches and a great BMX track.
Ridley Park, Blyth
Lovely park with plenty for the kids to do and a cafe with homemade food. Fabulous water feature for the kids to play.
County Durham
Riverside Park, Chester-le-Street
(Image: Craig Connor/ChronicleLive)
A diverse park that has something for everyone: wildflower meadows, formal gardens, bowling greens, playground/wading pool, green spaces/paths, cafe, outdoor gym equipment, wildlife. Friends of Riverside Park volunteers help Durham County Council maintain the park.
Wharton Park, Durham
(Image: Newcastle Chronicle)
Such a beautiful natural space!
Ward Jackson Park, Hartlepool
Ward Jackson Park is a popular park in Hartlepool, named after Ralph Ward Jackson who founded West Hartlepool in the 19th century. It was built in 1883 and is home to multiple features including a café, the drinking fountain, a bandstand and a clock tower.
Ropner Park, Stockton-on-Tees
Ropner Park has beautiful gardens, a lake, a fountain, a playground, a bandstand, a bowling green, tennis courts and lots of green space.
To vote for your favorite park in the North East, visit the Fields in Trust website.
What is your favorite park in the Northeast? Let us know!
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