Love Parks Week celebrates volunteers behind Stockport’s green spaces

Love Parks Week, running from 24th July to 2nd August, is celebrating the volunteers, Friends groups and community organisations working across Stockport’s parks and green spaces.

Volunteers work alongside Stockport Council’s Greenspace team to improve parks across the borough, supporting activities from litter picks and environmental projects to biodiversity initiatives, maintenance work and community events.

Recent highlights include more than 80 volunteers taking part in a major litter pick at Reddish Vale and Penny Meadow, volunteer-led improvements supporting the 150th anniversary celebrations at Heaton Norris Park, and collaborative clean-up work at Willow Grove Cemetery.

This year’s Love Parks Week programme includes volunteer activities, wellbeing walks, youth sessions, cricket activities and community celebrations across Stockport’s green spaces including a volunteer task morning taking place at Torkington Park on 1st August.

The celebration coincides with a consultation survey on Stockport Council’s draft Greenspace strategy. This strategy aspires to realise our ambitions to ensure all those who live, work and visit the borough can easily access green and blue spaces. That these spaces are accessible to all and that we promote intergenerational play and recreation. The survey closes on 2nd August, and is available to complete via the Stockport Council website.

Cllr Grace Baynham, Cabinet Member for Parks, Highways and Transport Services, said:

“Our parks and greenspaces are some of Stockport’s greatest assets, and they are made even more special by the incredible volunteers, Friends groups and community organisations who give their time to care for them.

“Love Parks Week is a chance to celebrate the difference these volunteers make every day, from improving biodiversity and supporting local wildlife to creating welcoming spaces where people can exercise, relax and connect with their community.

“I’d encourage residents to get involved in one of the many activities taking place across the borough and join us in recognising the people who help make our parks such valued places for everyone to enjoy.”

Love Parks Week is part of a busy summer of community events in parks and greenspaces across Stockport. Other activities taking place include Bramhall Park’s 80th anniversary celebrations, Chadkirk’s Well Dressing Weekend, Gatley Festival and Offerton Estate’s 60th anniversary celebrations.