Hackney residents are being reminded to vote for Shoreditch Park to be one of ten open spaces transformed by a £6million cash boost. Voting in the ‘Help A London Park’ campaign closes on Friday, 30 Juanuary 2009.

In Novmber 2008 the Mayor of London Boris Johnson launched the campaign to regenerate open spaces, giving Londoners the chance to vote for one of 47 parks shortlisted for funding.

Ten grants of up to £400,000, to make green spaces in London safer and more enjoyable, are up for grabs. The winners will be the parks spread across London that get the most votes. A single grant of up to £2million for one large park is also available. The winner will be decided by a panel of experts.

Shoreditch Park in Hackney has been short listed for one of the ten grants.

Kim Wright, Corporate Director for Community Services, said: “If successful, this funding will help us continue to deliver many of the improvements identified by the local community as part of our major investment in and redevelopment of Hackney’s parks.

“I urge everyone who lives in, works in or visits the borough to get involved and vote for Shoreditch.”

Working with the Shoreditch Trust, Hackney Council has conducted extensive local consultation as well as discussion with a crime prvention advisor from the Metropolitan police. This has resulted in a ’masterplan’ for the park, and some work has already been completed.

The grant would fund the building of a healthy eating café, a permanent volley ball court and extended ranger facilities as part of an ongoing project to make the park safe and welcoming for residents and visitors.

To vote for Shoreditch Park text ‘parks’ and your full Hackney postcode to: 62967; visit: www.london.gov.uk/parksvote; or call: 020 7983 4100 to request a postal vote.

Voting closes 5pm on Friday 30 January 2009.