A range of park improvements, new woodland walks and tree planting have been approved by Northumberland County Council's ruling cabinet as a way to commemorate the life of the late Queen Elizabeth II.
More than 1,000 residents came forward with ideas on how to celebrate the Queen's reign when the council launched a consultation following her death earlier this year.
The council has chosen to reflect the late Monarch's love of the outdoors and the countryside, and has set aside £370,000 for projects in towns up and down Northumberland.
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Speaking at Tuesday's meeting of the council's cabinet, council leader Glen Sanderson said: "This is a new scheme bringing in new money to create memorials around the county to Queen Elizabeth and all she brought to this county and worldwide.
"When we held a consultation to see what people would like us to do, it was an unbelievable response. People wanted not one statue, but memorials across the county that would bring the quality of life that her majesty enjoyed so much herself - quiet reflection and enjoyment of the countryside, and all the benefits that those kind of schemes will bring."
The projects will be at:
- Eastwoods Park, Prudhoe
- Tyne Green, Hexham
- Bolam Lake Country Park
- Carlisle Park, Morpeth
- Isabella Heap, Blyth
- QEII Country Park, Ashington
- East Cramlington Local Nature Reserve
- Valley Park, Cramlington
- Cleasewell Hill Park, Choppington
- Two new community woodlands at Alnwick Queen’s Garden, Tweedmouth and Warkworth Beach.
Speaking prior to the meeting, Coun Sanderson said: "We all felt the shock and sadness of the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and I was moved by the huge response we got to our appeal for memorial suggestions.
“It shows how much the late Queen meant to everyone and I’m delighted we’re set to agree a range of memorial projects across our beautiful county.
The schemes we’re putting forward look to build on the stunning green spaces we already have in our county and will give people the opportunity to reflect and remember while enjoying the health benefits of the great outdoors.
“We wanted the schemes to cover as much of the county as possible and many are in more urban areas where it will be easier for people to get to and enjoy.
“And as they are ‘natural’ projects they will continue to grow and flourish over the coming years – creating a real lasting legacy which I’m sure the late Queen would approve of.”
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