Love Park Life

In an exciting week of fun filled family events, Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council is encouraging residents to show how much they love their local parks by getting out and celebrating national Love Parks Week from Saturday 25 July to Sunday 2 August.

Throughout Love Parks Week, the borough's parks will be host to various activities in local parks including:

Saturday 25 July. Winklebury Carnival - Winklebury Playing Fields. There will be midday carnival procession, fairground rides, bands, arena charity stalls, food and a licensed bar.

Sunday 26 July. St Michael's Hospice Big Wheel event - Down Grange. A charity bike ride through the North Hampshire countryside with routes of five miles, 25 miles and 50 miles.
Sunday 26 July. Eastrop Park - Basingstoke Salvation Army Band will be playing from 3pm to 5pm. Bring along a picnic and rug to enjoy the music.
Tuesday 28 July. War Memorial Park. Members of the council's Parks and Open Spaces team will be based in the War Memorial Park greeting park users to find out what they like about the borough's parks and how they would like to see them developed in the future. There will be a prize draw entry for all who complete a questionnaire. The wardens will also be handing out free poop bags to dog owners to help keep the borough's parks clean and tidy.
Friday 31 July, Saturday 1 and Sunday 2 August. Balloons Over Basingstoke - War Memorial Park. The event will kick off with the ever popular Night Glow on the Friday night where the hot air balloons come to life with sound and light. The weekend will include mass balloon launches (weather permitting), arena acts and activities for the whole family.
Cabinet Member for Sport and Leisure Cllr Keith Chapman said: "Come along and support your local park during Love Parks Week. We have an exciting week of activities and events planned, so there really is something for all the family. We are lucky enough to have award winning parks in our borough, make the most of them by visiting and enjoying them, not only during Love Parks Week, but throughout the year. The borough's parks are a great place for some free family time with a game of football or a picnic. They are also an ideal place to spot local wildlife.

"The borough's parks are always looking for volunteers to litter pick, plant flowers or even help with administration tasks. If you can offer some time, please contact the council's ranger."
Love Parks Week is organised by the parks charity GreenSpace to raise awareness of the importance of parks. This year's focus is to encourage people to get into parks and support their role in the community.
Paul Bramhill, Chief Executive of GreenSpace said: "Love Parks Week is a great opportunity to celebrate what parks and green space mean to communities. In the current financial climate parks are more important than ever - they are free to visit and provide opportunities to improve health, relax and unwind, enjoy nature, play and have fun.
"This year we want as many people as possible to show support for the campaign by attending an event and taking advantage of what these fantastic places have to offer."

To find out how to volunteer at your local park, please call Green Spaces Ranger Karen Evans-Prosser on 01256 845649.

Other Local News from Basingstoke

• VIDEO: Do people recognise Ed Miliband?
• VIDEO: 'Baby boom' pressure on schools
• Ainslie faces no more punishment
• Shots sign Boro's Murphy on loan
• Ice warning for Hampshire roads
• View All Latest News in Basingstoke