Top of the parks

The park has secured a top five finish for the UK as a whole in the People's Choice Awards run under the prestigious Green Flag Award scheme.

Indeed the park was the only one in Northern Ireland to reach the top ten.

Thousands of people across the UK voted for their favourite park or green space in the awards.

The public poll is run by the Green Flag Award scheme and is aimed at recognising parks and green spaces that are well-managed green areas at the heart of local communities.

Earlier this year we at the 'MAIL' made it our mission to ensure the park was well placed and in co-operation with Craigavon Borough Council staged a campaign to encourage our readers and borough residents to vote.

And vote you did, with the park rocketing up the chart very quickly, indeed the park was sitting in sixth place when the vote tally was hidden. Obviously the people of Lurgan and surrounding area were keen to back the park as we were pushed up to fifth place in the final count.

Lurgan resident, Chris Stevenson said: “Lurgan Park is a jewel of a park with fantastic walks around the large lake and parkland. Both my father and I played in the park and have many happy memories."

Paul Todd, Green Flag Award Scheme Manager said: “Congratulations to Lurgan Public Park for being one of the UK’s most loved parks. It is proof that this park has a place in Lurgan’s community, who have an appreciation for the historical features of the park. I am sure that visitors can look forward to a big celebration.

“The popularity of these awards shows how much people value their local parks and green spaces and how much they matter to every day life and our overall well-being.”

Lurgan Mail editor Clint Aiken said: "We at the 'MAIL' are keenly aware of just how wonderful Lurgan Park is and when the chance came up to show our support we were only too happy to help. We ran our campaign in the paper, on our website and on our facebook pages to encourage people to vote.

"I'm delighted so many people responded and each and every person who voted can take pride in knowing they helped Lurgan Park become one of the UK's top open spaces."