Roath Park has been nominated for the UK’s Best Park Award.
ONE of Cardiff’s most popular open spaces has been nominated as one of the UK’s best parks.
Roath Park is in the running to be named the UK’s Best as part of a competition run by Fields in Trust, a charity that protects public open spaces.
It is one of 214 parks in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland to be nominated and the winner will be decided by public vote.
The park, opened in 1894, is popular with residents and visitors. Its biggest attraction is Roath Lake, a 30-acre man-made lake used for fishing and boating which is also home to the Scott Memorial Lighthouse.
The Pleasure Gardens and Botanic Garden are filled with exotic species of plants and the recreation ground is used by sports clubs, dog walkers and joggers.
Fields in Trust, which has the Queen as its patron, says it “protects vital open spaces all across the UK, from sports pitches to children’s playgrounds and bicycle trails to country parks”.
Roath Park is popular with residents.
Park users are happy to see the park being recognised at a national level.
“It’s really good to see,” said Charlotte Wightman, 21. “I love going round the park on my runs; there is nearly always something new for you to see.”
Simon Lamb, 30, said “I come here often to walk my dog. When the weather’s nice I don’t think there’s a better place in Cardiff.
If the park gets the most votes for a Welsh park it will be shortlisted with those that received that came top from England, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Last year over 10,000 votes were cast as Telford Town Park in Shropshire beat Worcester’s Gheluvelt Park and Aberdeen’s Duthie Park in the final shortlist.
The park was nominated by nearby residents and if the park is shortlisted they will be invited to the Fields in Trust Awards on November 30, when the winner will be announced.
Roath Park faces stiff competition from 13 other shortlisted Welsh parks. These are: Bedwellty House and Park, Beechwood Park, Belle Vue Park, Brynmill Park, Cyfarthfa Park, Jubilee Park and Nature Trail, Parc Bryn Bach, Parc Llewelyn, Parc Penallta, Pentyrch Rugby Club, Pontypool Park, Porthkerry Country Park and Six Bells Park.
- Voting for the competition closes on November 9 at 5pm.
