The first meeting of the newly formed Nottingham Parks and Open Spaces Forum took place this week.
Discussions included becoming a registered charity, agreeing a draft constitution and the Board of Trustees was elected. For the first ever meeting it was extremely well attended, with a wide variety of local parks and opens spaces’ ‘Friends’ groups represented.
The Forum is a group of volunteers who have a shared interest and passion for our city’s parks and open spaces. They will work in partnership with Nottingham City Council to raise the profile of all the amazing benefits that our parks bring to the community.
Newly elected Chair, Sarah Manton, said, “Having been part of the Creative Quarter’s Articulture greening project over the last couple of years, I know how challenging it can be to maintain green space in an urban environment. However, the rewards are massive for the individuals involved, not to mention the wider community. As well as providing welcome rest from our busy days, our parks and open spaces are the vital green lungs of our city.”
The aim of the Forum is to unite and support our communities to bring together residents in the local area who care about their parks and open spaces, educating them to promote all that is good about getting out in the fresh air; the health benefits, growing your own fruit and vegetables, exploring and learning about the natural environment and so much more.
The Forum will meet quarterly to continue working on improving parks, play areas, allotments, sports fields, nature reserves, woodlands and cemeteries within the City of Nottingham.
Councillor Dave Trimble, Portfolio Holder for Leisure & Culture, said: “We are very proud of all our parks and open spaces, and it’s fantastic to be working in partnership with Nottingham Parks and Open Spaces Forum and shows how important it is for us to work with our local communities through consultation to continue the great work that happens in our parks. Open spaces are so important to people’s lives and wellbeing here in Nottingham, and much loved by local communities.”