A community garden that was created to celebrate the Millennium is in the running to become the UK’s best park.

The Llanidloes Millennium Garden, on Llangurig Road, is one of 364 nominated parks and green spaces – and 24 of these are in Wales – which recognises their contribution to health and wellbeing.

Organisers Fields in Trust, the UK-wide charity that protects parks and green spaces, described the Llanidloes community garden as a “small bit of heavenly peace”.

The garden is maintained and funded by a group of volunteers and used by the community to sit, walk, and picnic. Groups in the town such as the Brownies, Guides, schools and the care home, use it for their activities.

Volunteers are calling on the community to vote for the Millennium Garden as the nation’s favourite park in a public vote at www.fieldsintrust.org/best-park/wales.

The UK’s Best Park Award recognises the role that parks play in communities, supporting mental and physical health and bringing people together. The charity is concerned that many parks and green spaces are under threat and are at risk of being lost to development or a cycle of decline and disappearance. With public sector cuts leading to pressure on parks and green spaces, there is the risk that a lack of legal protection could lead to more being sold off or developed.

Fields in Trust Chief Executive Helen Griffiths said: “Our parks and green spaces are a vital part of UK community infrastructure. We know that they provide benefits to the physical health, mental wellbeing and community connections for people that use them, so we are delighted to see a record number of nominations for the UK’s Best Park award and it is encouraging to see so many people organising picnics with neighbours to celebrate how much they love their local park. Fields in Trust is committed to protecting these valuable and much-loved parks and green spaces for future generations to enjoy.”

n Voting closes on Monday, August 19.