Love Parks Week

Residents of North East Lincolnshire are showing their love of parks by getting out and celebrating national Love Parks Week, which takes place between Saturday, June 14 and Sunday, June 22.

Find out what's happining near you by viewing the events timetable.

Nathan Vear, environmental improvement manager at the council, said: “The campaign is a non-profit event organised by parks charity GreenSpace.  The theme for Love Parks Week 2008 is to promote the role that parks can play in the health of children, particularly given the growing problem of childhood obesity.

“As a council, we fully support this national event and hope to see as many people as possible taking part in events that have been organised throughout North East Lincolnshire.”

A range of events co-ordinated by North East Lincolnshire Council’s Extended Schools staff are to take place across the county and include Great Coates Primary School’s foundation stage pupils and parents taking part in a Teddy Bear’s Picnic on Monday, June 16 at the Boating Lake, and Weelsby Primary School and Strand Infants School participating in a ‘mini-beasts hunt’, fun, games and picnics at various times throughout Monday, June 16 and Wednesday, June 18 in People’s Park and Grant Thorold Park. 

Willows Primary School is holding an outdoor learning day for its key stage two students on Tuesday, June 17 with a picnic, woodland shelter building and a variety of physical activities on the menu.  Students, accompanied by school and Extended Schools staff and members of the Specialist Health Support team, will go on a nature trail in Weelsby Woods before watching Pat Carroll, a local sculptor, perform a demonstration of his work using a portable lathe. 

Lynn Shaw and Ann Green, Extended Schools co-ordinators said, “It has been a great opportunity to work in such a partnership to promote the health and well-being of children, as well as introducing their families to the wonderful parks and open spaces on our doorstep.

The Neighbourhood Safety Scheme community wardens will be either leading or supporting many of the school activities taking place in the parks during the week.

Councillor Martin Vickers, portfolio holder for environment, said: “By supporting Love Parks Week, we are helping to build a campaign that puts green spaces in the spotlight.

“I hope residents of North East Lincolnshire will use this week as an opportunity to get out in the fresh air, have some fun and spend time with their friends and families.”

The Friends of the Freshney have organised a treasure hunt at the Duke of York Gardens on Saturday, June 14.  The event is free to enter and open to anyone under 18.  Registration will take place at 10.30am at the former changing rooms but places are limited to 25 so residents are advised to turn up early to avoid disappointment.

Family fun days have been arranged in Sidney Park on Sunday, June 15 between 11am and 4pm and in Kingston Gardens on Saturday, June 21 between 2pm and 6pm.  The events have been arranged by Friends of Sidney Park and RAWK Neighbourhood Watch Group, respectively, and will include a host of activites, stalls, refreshments and even donkey rides.

Last year, Love Parks Week was celebrated by 300 park events and attracted more than 250,000 people to their local parks; this year looks set to be even bigger, with fun and active events for families taking place in parks across the country.

You can find out more information at www.loveparksweek.org.uk