Bradford’s multi-award-winning City Park received another accolade today – its ninth in two years.

The Marsh Award for Fountains, given for “the best use of moving water in the regeneration of urban public space”, is the latest in a string of prizes won by the attraction since it opened in March 2012.

The winner’s plaque was presented to the Lord Mayor of Bradford, Councillor Khadim Hussain, at the City Park Pavilion.

Even a soaking from the Park’s fountains – as they were turned on full throttle – failed to dampen the presentation ceremony.

Coun Hussain said: “It is a great honour and privilege to accept this award. It is a great honour for Bradford and it is putting Bradford on the map. It is another accolade for the district.

“This fountain is becoming a big attraction to people. It is also breaking down barriers in communities. We have seen, on good summer days sometimes, three generations of families enjoying visiting the city.”

He added: “I’m delighted the fountains have won yet another national award to add to City Park’s growing trophy cabinet.”

The plaque was presented by Jolyon Drury, chairman of the Marsh Awards, who said the 4,000-square metre attraction was a deserving winner.

“I think it was a clear winner because of what it did to change the city,” said Mr Drury.

“The buses used to drive through Centenary Square and it was very difficult to keep clean. It was very clever to make it into a lake with fountains. It resolved the cleanliness issue, and also forms a link between young and old.”

The award, judged be members of the Public Monuments and Sculpture Association, was won jointly by Bradford Council and Fountain Workshop.

The Marsh Awards are the brainchild of Brian Marsh, chairman of the Marsh Christian Trust. The awards are given for conservation, science, the arts, heritage, literature and volunteering.

  • The man who presented City Park’s latest award has a strong link to Bradford. Jolyon Drury is the grandson of Alfred Drury, the sculptor who created the Queen Victoria memorial statue that stands between the Alhambra theatre and National Media Museum. Mr Drury, who is chairman of the Marsh Awards, said: “The reason I chose this date to present the award was the 110th anniversary of the Queen Victoria statue.” Mr Drury, who presented the Lord Mayor with a catalogue of his grandfather’s work, also took a moment to stand underneath the statue and marvel at the work of his grandfather. The statue was unveiled on May 4, 1904, by the Prince of Wales, the future George V.