The top ten parks and green spaces, as voted for by foster carers With the summer holidays fast approaching, Foster4 asked more than 450 foster families about their favourite parks and green spaces in Halton, Cheshire West and Chester, and Warrington.
Foster carers become highly skilled in keeping children and young people of all ages entertained on sunny and not so sunny days and they are perfectly placed to provide their expert opinion on what makes a green space great.
Foster carers were asked to name their top three spaces that are free to enter, excluding car parking charges, and say what makes each one a special place for enjoying time with their families.
Coming in at number one was the jewel in Warrington’s crown, Walton Hall and Gardens.
Its new state-of-the-art play equipment, popular children’s zoo and heritage cafe as well as the high ropes course and picnic areas ensure there is something for everyone to enjoy.
Second place went to Victoria Park in Widnes, close to Widnes town centre, which holds the prestigious green flag award.
The park opened in 1900 to celebrate Queen Victoria’s diamond jubilee and Heritage Lottery funding has restored Victoria Park to its former glory.
The Butterfly House, skate and dog parks as well as the lake and fountain are firm favourites with fostering families.
Third on the podium was Runcorn Hill Park with picnic areas, a playground and friendship garden, which was built to celebrate the town’s twinning with Tongling in China.
Foster carers voted Castle Hill Park in Frodsham as their fourth choice, fifth place went to Chester’s Grosvenor Park and sixth spot was taken by Northwich Woodlands, which includes Marbury Country Park, Anderton Nature Park and Ashton’s and Neuman’s Flashes.
In the number seven spot was Woolston Park and New Cut Ecology Trail in Warrington and eighth in the poll was Risley Moss, also in Warrington.
Number nine was Lymm Dam and lastly number ten went to Whitby Park in Ellesmere Port.
Many foster carers live outside the Foster4 footprint and other parks and green spaces that are highly recommended are Taylor Park and The Dream in St Helens, Wepre Park in Deeside and Dunham Massey in Trafford as well as Southport and New Brighton beaches.
For more information about fostering visit foster4.co.uk or call 01925 444100.
You can also email fosteringrecruitment@warrington.gov.uk or use @foster4cheshire on Facebook and Instagram.
What do foster carers like about Cheshire’s green spaces?
One foster carer said: “There’s lots to do at Walton Gardens - family-friendly cafes and great hills for scootering.
“This is a firm favourite with the children in my care.”
Another foster carer said: “Victoria Park in Widnes is local to me with parking for those who need it.
“It’s natural and peaceful with the sound of running water.”
Runcorn Hill Park is “clean, tidy and safe and a great place for all ages to get outdoors.”
Many of the places that ranked in the top ten are great for exploring and walking dogs with many offering ice cream and other treats at the end of the day.
Others offer wide open spaces for teenagers to let off steam by throwing a ball around with some providing lots of room for toddlers to run free with swings, slides and roundabouts entertaining visitors.
One foster carer added: “These places hold so many happy memories and wonderful times for us and the children in our care and we love to visit with our whole family.”
Are you feeling inspired to take on a more child-centred lifestyle?
Contact the team at Foster4 for more information.
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