Vicky Park voted capital’s favourite park in national competition
Victoria Park has been voted the capital’s favourite park by the great British public.
The historic park, currently undergoing a �12m restoration aimed at returning it to its 1840s splendour, came top in London and eighth in the country in yesterday’s prestigious People’s Choice Award.
After winning its first Green Flag Award —the national benchmark for excellence for parks and open spaces—earlier this year, the park qualified for the first time for entering the annual online vote.
Vicky Park competed against all of the UK’s 1,290 open spaces, currently flying the Green Flag, in the competition run by The Green Flag Award scheme.
Tower Hamlets Mayor Lutfur Rahman said: “With more than 100 parks and open spaces in the borough, Victoria Park is our crown jewel. It is fantastic our park has been recognised by the nation.
“It mixes a wealth of heritage with fantastic play spaces, sports facilities and vistas. Our restoration investment builds on these features, making sure the park remains one of the country’s best loved open spaces for years to come.”
Mr Rahman believes the vote will help support Tower Hamlets City Status bid by highlighting the quality of facilities in the borough.
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The overall winner was Old Station, Tintern in Monmouthshire, a Victorian country railway station with a surrounding green space.
The restoration of Vicky Park is predominantly funded by the council, with additional funding from the Big Lottery and Heritage Lottery funds,
The revamp includes restoration of historic monuments, new play equipment, creation of a new community facility and caf�, the reintroduction of a Chinese Pagoda, improved planting, a new skate park and better sports facilities.
Mile End Park won the award for innovation, acknowledging the park’s outstanding contribution to the local community.
