Victoria Borwick, a Conservative London-wide Assembly Member (AM), is urging residents to vote for their local parks to be given an enormous funding boost.

Mayor Boris Johnson has promised to give 10 parks across London 400,000 each. A shortlist has been compiled, but the public vote for which of these green spaces will receive the cash injection.

Commenting, Mrs Borwick said:

There are such a range of improvements offered to the winning parks, from new playgrounds and cafes, to better lighting, flower gardens and allotment areas. This is a fantastic opportunity for residents to help improve their green spaces.

The shortlisted parks in Enfield and Haringey are Arnos Park and Lordship Recreation Ground. I strongly urge local residents to vote. We would all be able to enjoy the benefits if these parks are improved.

Lordship Recreation Ground, N17, is one of 47 parks in the capital competing for 10 makeover grants of up to 400,000 on offer from Mayor of London Boris Johnson.

Haringey Council has ambitious regeneration plans for Lordship Rec, including the creation of a new city farm and environmental centre to educate children on a range of green issues.

Other planned initiatives, drawn up in collaboration with the parks Friends group and local residents, include:

• Restoring the Shell Theatre and Model Traffic Area, set up in 1938 to teach children about road safety by enabling them to ride bikes and toy cars in a safe environment
• Uncovering the currently culverted River Moselle in the park
• Extensive landscape works, including new pathways, bins and benches, drainage and tree planting

The council hopes that this would lead to a Green Flag award for the park, along with a seven-fold increase in visitor numbers - to 355,000 each year.

Residents can now help turn these plans into reality by visiting the Parks Vote page on the GLA website (external link) and voting for Lordship Recreation Ground.

People unable to access the internet can request a postal vote form by calling 020 7983 4100.

Alternatively, you can text parks and your full London post code to 62697. If you are a Haringey resident, this will automatically give a vote to Lordship Rec.

Voting closes on Friday 30 January 2009.

ENDS