Love Parks Week at Ford Park
- Suzanne Edgley
- Jul 16
- 3 min read
Updated: 14 hours ago
Love Parks Week is an annual celebration from Keep Britain Tidy that shines a light on parks and green spaces, and the people who look after them. This year it runs from 24 July to 2 August, and we're delighted to be joining in.
Because Ford Park is a charity run community space, looked after by a small (but mighty) team of staff, trustees, volunteers - weeks like this are a lovely reminder of just how much our green spaces mean to us all.
Why do we Love Parks?
Parks are so much more than just patches of grass, they're essential for our wellbeing and the health of our environment.
1. For your personal wellbeing: Parks are a sanctuary for both your physical and mental wellbeing. Spending time in them offers opportunities for exercise, social connection and stress reduction through a simple dose of nature.
2. For our communities: Parks are the heart of our communities, fostering social cohesion and giving everyone a place to come together. They also stimulate local businesses and economies by hosting a wide range of recreational and cultural activities.
3. For the planet: Parks are powerful tools in the fight against climate change. They help to sequester carbon, reduce the ‘urban heat island effect’ by providing natural shade, lower flood risks by absorbing rainwater and support biodiversity by creating essential habitats and wildlife corridors.
We're kicking things off with Shakespeare in the Park
What better way to start Love Parks Week than with an evening of Shakespeare in the Park?
We are delighted to welcome back the extremely talented Festival Players this summer, who will be performing The Comedy of Errors on Friday 24th July from 7pm
Always a favourite, so grab a picnic, a rug or a low-backed chair and settle in for a real summer treat.
Lots to do at Ford Park
Visiting during Love Parks Week? You could:
· Let the kids burn off some energy on the playground.
· Follow one of our trails, including the Woodland Animal Trail along the Zig Zag path, great fun for young explorers.
· Wander along the pathways, find a favourite bench and take in the views.
· Bring a picnic and catch up with friends during the summer holidays.
· Visit to walled garden and enjoy the sights and smells of summer.
Join in with the Big Butterfly Count
Love Parks Week overlaps with the Big Butterfly Count (17 July–9 August 2026), a nationwide survey that helps track butterfly populations, and it's a lovely, simple thing to do as a family.
Our top tip: take a wander through the park, along the Zig Zag path, then head up to the Community Orchard where you’ll find Big Butterfly Count sheets. Find a sunny place and spend 15 minutes spotting and identifying butterflies. Log your count on the official Big Butterfly Count app or website.
Curious about volunteering? Come along on 30 July
Ford Park is looked after by people who generously give their time, energy and skills, and we'd love to welcome a few more faces.
If you've ever thought ‘I'd love to help out, but I'm not sure what’s involved,’ then come along to our open afternoon on Thursday 30th July from 3pm until 6pm.
Come along for a chat and see what volunteering looks like at Ford Park; from gardening jobs and generally caring for the park, to lending a hand at community events. Come and have a chat with Moray our volunteer coordinator, no pressure at all - just a chance to ask questions and meet the team.
Show Ford Park some love
Whether you're here for Shakespeare, doing a butterfly count with the kids, or just taking a stroll through the park, we hope you'll make a little time for Ford Park during Love Parks Week.
And if you love having this green space on your doorstep, the please help us and share the love for Ford Park: use it, tell people about it, and support it where you can, because parks like this don't stay wonderful by accident. They stay that way because of people like you.
For more information about how you can support your local park click below
