Published on:
05
July 2013
Four parks in the heart of Clackmannanshire are now protected forever, thanks to a partnership between national charity, Fields in Trust and Clackmannanshire Council.
The parks are West End Park, Alloa, Arns Brae Pleasure Grounds, Alloa, and Cochrane and Johnstone Parks, Alva.
By taking part in the Queen Elizabeth Fields Challenge Clackmannanshire Council is making their much loved space part of the fabric of the community for generations to come.
With the Duke of Cambridge's patronage, and the support of principal partner ASDA, the Queen Elizabeth Fields Challenge is a living legacy programme to mark three landmark events - The Queen Diamond Jubilee; The Olympic Games; and The 2014 Commonwealth Games.
Protecting outdoor recreational, sporting and play spaces across Scotland, the Challenge gives local communities the chance to build their own legacy from the three landmark events and landowners across the country are encouraged to play their part in preserving outdoor space by Fields in Trust.
Enterprise and Environment Convener, Councillor Donald Balsillie said: "I'm pleased that we now have our own QE Fields, offering extra protection by Fields in Trust through their designation. All the requirements for recognition were met and I am sure over the years these special green spaces will remain public parks and places of quiet enjoyment and recreation."
Helen Griffiths, Chief Executive of Fields in Trust, said: "I am delighted that Clackmannanshire Council has shown how much they value their community and its future by preserving their green space through the QE Fields Challenge.
"Community green spaces such as this play such a vital role in maintaining a high quality of life for those around them."
Notes to editors:
Established in 1925 as the National Playing Fields Association, by King George V, Fields in Trust works to improve the protection, provision and quality of outdoor recreational spaces for all communities in the UK. Fields in Trust currently protects more than 200 sites in Scotland
During 2012 they ran The Queen Elizabeth Fields Challenge, protecting outdoor recreational spaces to build a legacy from the Queen's Diamond Jubilee and the Olympic Games, with the Duke of Cambridge as Patron.
In Scotland this is continuing until 2014, as a legacy from the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.
The Duke of Cambridge has recently been announced as the new President of Fields in Trust, taking over from the Duke of Edinburgh.