Friends Groups

Regular park users know their park inside out and fully understand how it functions. They have opinions about what works well and what could be done better, and frequently put forward suggestions to us on how it might be improved.

Vital links

Many channel their views through one of the Friends Groups now established throughout the District. Friends Groups are a vital link between us and the community and they make an invaluable contribution to development plans.

Raising funds

Financial resources for parks, especially in rural areas, are limited. At present there is no statutory duty for councils to provide a parks service, in spite of their obvious benefits to the community. Friends Groups can tap into funds to improve parks that are available to community groups but not to local authorities.

Community involvement

Informing the community, listening to their views, giving them the opportunity to have their say in the future direction of the park produces development plans that respond to local need, offer value for money and are sustainable. This ensures that we continually strive to improve our standards and provide better quality open spaces, accessible to everybody and which provide a clean, safe and healthy environment.

Interested?

Friends Groups can make a difference. If you have an interest in one of our parks or open spaces and there is already a Friends Group set up, you can contact the group on the details listed in the Friends Group Directory.

If you feel that there are issues needing to be adressed relating to a park or open space where there is currently no Friends Group, and you would like to discuss these with someone, please contact us.