Nottingham City Council’s free 2016 ParkLives programme, which was due to finish in autumn, has been extended until March, with community groups being offered grants to run an activity in their nearest park.
Activities including Christmas crafts, walks and geocaching have been added to the second annual ParkLives programme, run in partnership with Coca-Cola Great Britain. Sessions of between one and two hours will take place at the Forest Recreation Ground, Broxtowe Country Park, Wollaton Park, Victoria Embankment and Woodthorpe Park between Monday 5 December and Thursday 22 December. The full programme is detailed at www.parklives.com.
In addition, grants of up to £500 are available to community groups and charities to help them run similar activities in their nearest parks by Friday 31 March. These could focus on sport, exercise, gardening, nature or art. Any organisation wanting to apply should email parklives@nottinghamcity.gov.uk for an application form.
ParkLives, a programme of free, fun activity sessions in parks and green spaces, which started in spring, has already helped nearly 18,000 Nottingham people get more active in the great outdoors this year. Activities have included archery, basketball, bowls, kayaking, golf and hula hooping.
Councillor Dave Trimble, Portfolio Holder for Leisure and Culture, said: “It’s been fantastic to have so many interesting and popular ParkLives activities this year, with thousands of people taking part, and we’re not letting the cold weather put us off. Nottingham’s parks can be enjoyed all year round, so we’ve organised some special activities for December, many with a Christmas theme. We also want to help communities run the events they want in their parks, so I would encourage friends of parks groups, residents’ associations and similar organisations to apply for a grant and organise their own activity this winter.”