Mowbray Park wins title in national competition

Dec 10 2008 by Paul Loraine, The Journal

A SUNDERLAND park has been named the best in the country in a national competition.

Mowbray Park, off Burdon Road in the city centre, has been awarded the Briggs & Stratton Britain’s Best Park 2008 title.

Managed by Sunderland City Council, the park beat contenders including Barrow Park in Cumbria and London’s Regent’s Park, to win the top prize.

It was judged on criteria including environment, design, usability, access, maintenance and community involvement.

Its rich history, close links with the community and beautiful displays particularly impressed the judging panel.

Sunderland Council’s cabinet member for culture and leisure Mel Speding said: “It’s a prestigious award and for it to become Britain’s best park is a very good thing for Sunderland.

“It’s a user-friendly park and the judges were particularly impressed with the dedication of the staff. They do an absolutely fantastic job.

“There are also a lot of great features in the park – as well as the museum and winter gardens you’ve got the seasonal ice rink, the children’s play area, a bowling green and a number of monuments and sculptures. There are obviously the horticultural displays as well.”

The park was once known as the People’s Park and this year celebrated its 151st birthday, having been created after Sunderland’s cholera epidemic in the 1830s.

A Government inquiry was held after the epidemic and the inspector recommended that Sunderland Corporation should provide leafy walks for townspeople to enjoy fresh air.

A Government grant of £750 was used to buy a £2,000 plot of land from the Mowbray family.

The success of the park means it now qualifies for another competition which will see it judged against the finest parks in Europe.

Council parks development manager Ian Coburn said it was the horticultural displays that stood out for him.

“The flowers are stunning, but you also have the community events and the Friends of the Park group events.

“We are all over the moon – it’s a great achievement. All the staff who work to maintain the park are thrilled because there’s a dedicated team of staff who are very proud of their work.

“I love to see it in the summer when you get business people having their lunch in there – it’s lovely to see people using the park.”

Briggs & Stratton business development manager Ian Small said: “The park is situated in Sunderland city centre and provides excellent facilities in a relaxing and colourful atmosphere. It truly is a worthy winner of the national title.”