Southside parks in the running as nation’s favourite

Rouken Glen park was awarded green flag status for 2013 but which southside park is your favourite?

The UK-wide people’s choice award will pit 1,448 green flag sites against each other for the title of park of the year.

2013 was a high scoring year for the southside and East Renfrewshire, with Pollok, Bellahouston, Linn and Rouken Glen being awarded green flags — scored on safety, cleanliness and community involvement.

It was the first green flag ever for Linn Park, and councillor Alistair Watson, executive member for land and environmental services at Glasgow city council, welcomed the recognition, adding: “Recreational areas play an imporant role in the health and wellbeing of the  city.”

Carol Noble, Keep Scotland Beautiful’s head of environmental services, said: “Our judges have decided on this year’s winners of the green flag award, but the public now have the opportunity to decide which deserves the people’s choice award.

“This award will pit all Scottish parks against others in the UK, so if you think your park is the best, please vote for it.

“In the Year of Natural Scotland, we want all of our green flag parks in Scotland to receive the backing of their local communities and those who use them.”

To vote, visit www.keepscotlandbeautiful.org/parks .

The ballot closes at midday on October 1, and the winner will be announced on October 9.