A CHESTER park has become a double award-winner.

The Countess of Chester Country Park won big at the Land Trust’s annual awards ceremony, with the site named Community Space of the Year and winning Project of the Year for the Fallen for the Fallen poppy trail created last year.

The former landfill site, adjacent to the Countess of Chester Hospital, was also shortlisted for four other awards: Best Friends group, Ranger of the Year, Site of the Year and Health Site of the Year.

The park is a fantastic hub for the community, hosting regular volunteer sessions and the weekly Parkrun, which attracts hundreds of dedicated runners each week.

Community sessions such as the Brightlife and Green Gym groups help many locals get involved in practical sessions outdoors on a regular basis.

The Countess of Chester Country Park attracted well over 30,000 visitors last year, many of whom are staff and patients from the hospital, local dog walkers, families, and university students.

The addition of the Fallen for the Fallen project enabled the community to get involved in remembering fallen soldiers from the First World War. The project is a walking trail that leads from Upton war memorial to a carved bench in the park, with carved poppies representing local men who lost their lives during the war, guiding the way along the trail.

The project was led by Andy Scargill, chair of the Friends group for the park, and was supported by local councillors, schools and businesses.

Alan Carter, director of portfolio management at the Land Trust, said: “There have been so many fantastic activities and achievements at the Countess of Chester Country Park over the last year.

"From being awarded its first Green Flag, to the fantastic Picnic in the Park event, the park seems to go from strength to strength.

“With the help of Ranger Neil and the superb Friends group and volunteers, this park has become a space which is well-used and valued by the local community.

“I am delighted the park has this recognition for the hard work that goes into making it such a fantastic space for the people of Chester.”

For more information about the Countess of Chester Country Park, visit thelandtrust.org.uk or search for the park on social media.