Councillor Asks Residents to ‘Show Your Love for Our Parks’

Published on: 2 Aug, 2022
Updated on: 4 Aug, 2022

Castle Grounds

This week is Keep Britain Tidy, Love Parks week (July 29 – August 5) and to celebrate it the borough council wants to encourage residents and visitors to enjoy and take pride in local green spaces. 

Lead councillor for Environment, James Steel (Lib Dem, Westborough), said: “Love Parks Week reminds us to respect and protect our parks. It also provides the opportunity to show thanks to the dedicated teams that look after them.

“We have seven Green Flag Awards across our parks and countryside sites. Meeting the requirements of these accreditations is a testament to our Parks and Countryside teams. They work hard to make sure our green spaces thrive.

Stoke Park

“Across Guildford, we look after 2600 acres of green space. Our countryside staff work tirelessly to ensure the borough’s parks look their best. Many residents support them. From putting litter in the bin, to keeping dogs under control, there are lots of little things people can do to keep our parks safe and enjoyable for all.

The lead councillor also believes that the week is an important reminder for everyone to consider wildlife and the environment.

He said: “We can all do our bit to look after our beloved parks. Please use our litter bins or take rubbish home with you. Continue to follow the Countryside Code. The recent heatwave and reports of heathland fires resonate this message.

“Do not light fires or have barbecues in our parks and green spaces. They can cause great damage. We continue to be thankful to our residents and visitors who respect and cherish these areas.”

“We also receive support from volunteer groups. They work with our teams on projects to preserve and restore our natural spaces.”

Volunteers working on the countryside in the borough have clocked up 1,055 hours so far this year. Groups have helped with lots of important pieces of work including protecting Pirbright’s heathland sites and creating habitats for rare butterflies.

Onslow Arboretum

GBC manages two million trees throughout the parks, gardens and countryside for which it is responsible. Trees are our most powerful natural weapon against climate change.

As part of The Queen’s Green Canopy during the Platinum Jubilee celebrations, the council planted a tree at our Sensory Garden at Stoke Park to mark its commitment to become a net-zero carbon borough by 2030.

Cllr Steel added: “Trees bring undeniable benefits to the climate and local wildlife. These benefits last for years. They are effective in cleaning the air we breathe and slowing the impact of climate change. Trees are a big part of promoting wellbeing in our green spaces.

“Join us in thanking our staff this week. They work hard all year round and provide us with spaces that promote the health and wellbeing we all need. Our teams maintain over 50 countryside sites, 65 parks and gardens, over 30 playgrounds and 1,100 hectares of green space in Guildford.

“Through their hard work we get access to the luxury of nature on our doorsteps at no cost. We can also enjoy over 160 events a year across our parks. These are fantastic opportunities for our communities and the town’s economy.”

GBC’ seven Green Flag Award winning parks are:

• Allen House Grounds
• Castle Grounds
• Chilworth Gunpowder Mills
• Onslow Recreation Ground
• Riverside Nature Reserve
• Stoke Park
• Sutherland Memorial Park

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