Residents are being asked to officially rename a much-loved green space recently given protected status for future generations to enjoy. 

Trafford Council’s application for Fields in Trust protected status for the William Wroe former pay-to-play golf course site in Flixton was officially granted last week meaning the popular green space is now protected for community use and enjoyment forever. 

The council and partners, the Flixton Green for All group, are inviting residents to leave their imprint on the popular site by putting forward suggestions for its new name.

Town hall bosses say all the entries will be condensed into a shortlist and there will then be a vote on the favourite.

Residents interested in taking part are invited to email their suggestions to info@flixtongreenforall.org until midnight today (Monday, September 16). 

Now the council and the Flixton Green for All group, will decide on three entries to go to the public vote that best represent the site.

The three final names will then be presented to the public, who will make the final decision in a vote running from September 30 to  October 11. 

The result of the renaming competition, set to be announced during the week starting  October 14, will be followed by the unveiling of a sign on site to mark and celebrate the site’s protection with the wording “Protected Forever with Fields in Trust – Green Spaces for Good” ahead of the October half-term holidays. Additional signs featuring the new name will also be installed. 

The former William Wroe golf club site is a popular green space within the community for visitors ranging from families and dog walkers to bird watchers and joggers and, under Fields of Trust rules, will be kept open and accessible to the public.

The council, which has made tackling the climate crisis a priority, has been working tirelessly with the community group for five years to secure protection for the site.   

Cllr Liz Patel, Trafford council’s executive member for economy and regeneration, said: “We are now looking to rename the site and need the public’s help in doing so. We are inviting residents to take part in the re-naming process by emailing your name suggestions to  info@flixtongreenforall.org.  A short explanation for your suggestion would also be welcome.” 

A spokesperson for the Flixton Green for All group said: “As this much-loved and now protected community asset moves forward into a new chapter, we feel that it’s important that this community get the opportunity to have some input into its future and the renaming is an ideal way to make that happen and for all to get involved.”