Ten local parks in the running for the UK's best park - including Walsall Arboretum and Wolverhampton's West Park

Ten parks across the Express & Star patch have been shortlisted for a national competition.

Voting is now open for The Fields in Trust UK’s Best Park Award.

In total, 360 parks have been nominated across the country, 31 in the West Midlands.

The parks were put forward for the competition by public users.

It is organised by the Fields in Trust, a charity aimed at protecting parks. The trust claims there is a link between the number of parks in a location and that area’s health and wellbeing.

The winner will be announced at Lord’s Cricket Ground in London next month on November 29.

Chief executive Helen Griffiths said: “Recognising the UK’s Best Park is a way of revaluing our green spaces – not viewing them just as a drain on resources for maintenance and upkeep but seeing what benefits they bring.

“Having access to good quality recreational space can contribute to the physical and mental health of their local population and provide places for people to get together for community events.”

The parks were shortlisted on the basis they were accessible to the public, and well-used.

West Park in Wolverhampton was opened in 1881. It was created with the help of the public, who were offered a £50 prize for the best landscape design.

The bandstand was opened a year later, followed by the conservatory in 1896.

During the First World War and Second World War vegetables were grown at the park to help with the war effort

And in 1986 the park was restored, with a revamp of the bandstand, following a grant.

Today, a 5k park run takes place at the park every Saturday morning. It is maintained in part by the Friends of West Park.

A park run also takes place at Walsall Arboretum, which opened in 1874.

Like West Park, it had allotments during the two world wars. It also had an outdoor swimming pool, till its closure in 1956.

In more recent years it hosted Walsall Illuminations, until 2008.

Warley Woods in Smethwick opened in 1906. It features a meadow, woodland and a golf course. Bluebells and wildflowers grow in the 100-acre site.

Also in Sandwell, Dartmouth Park in West Bromwich has been shortlisted. The park was opened in 1878 by the Earl of Dartmouth. In 1973, however, it was cut in size by the building of the A41, which saw the golf course and tennis courts destroyed.

However, two years ago the park was reopened following a £6 million restoration and now features a sensory garden and splashpad for children.

Friends of Dartmouth Park treasurer Carol Hartill said: “It is a special, premier park in West Bromwich. It has a foundation in the community and plays a key role in providing outside facilities.”

Brinton Park in Kidderminster was opened in 1887. It has a lodge, pool and bandstand. A splash pad is also turned on during the summer months.

Also in Kidderminster is Springfield Park. It has a pool, football pitches and an old preserved factory chimney.

Hednesford Park opened in 1931 having been given to the local council by Cannock Chase Miners’ Welfare Committee. It features a play area, bowling greens and tennis courts.

The 70-acre Beacon Park in Lichfield has a play area and golf course, it opened in the late 1800s. It is home to Museum Gardens, where an ornamental fountain was donated by JT Law, the diocesan chancellor, in 1871.

Lickhill War Memorial Park in Stourport opened in 1924. It has tennis courts, a children’s playground and picnic areas.

While Willenhall Memorial Park was opened in the 1920s. Six years ago a water facility was opened at the park, replacing an old lido.

However the 10 shortlisted spaces across Staffordshire and the Black Country face tough competition from hundreds of parks up and down the country.

Last year Rouken Glen Park in East Renfrewshire, Scotland, was named the UK’s Best Park out of a field of 214 nominations this year.