North East Lincolnshire Council loves parks
| Published: 3rd July 2008 07:54 |
North East Lincolnshire Council loves parks
Residents of North East Lincolnshire have shown their love of parks by getting out and celebrating national Love Parks Week, which took place between Saturday, June 14 and Sunday, June 22.
A range of events coordinated by North East Lincolnshire Council's Extended Schools staff and Neighbourhood Safety Scheme Wardens took place across the county.
Lynn Shaw and Ann Green, Extended Schools co-ordinators, said: "It was a pleasure to fund and co-ordinate the events, work in partnership and build relationships with families and other professionals and open people's eyes to what is here on our doorstep in North East Lincolnshire. Feedback from everyone has been very positive."
Forty-six children from Strand Community School and Weelsby Primary School joined local PCSOs, police and North East Lincolnshire Council's community wardens in a ‘mini-beasts' hunt around Grant Thorold Park. A handful of goodies were provided for every child and winners from each group received prizes for their schools.
Debbie Norman, learning mentor at Strand Community School, said: "It was a super event. The visit to Grant Thorold Park for year two was yet another great success. Pete Allen, the Neighbourhood Safety Scheme Senior Warden and his colleagues, as well as the PCSOs, were great. We had a scavenger hunt and all had lots of fun exploring the park."
Elsewhere, a Teddy Bear's Picnic was arranged for Great Coates Primary School's foundation stage pupils and parents. Seventy-five children between the ages of three and five were taken by coach to Cleethorpes where they all had a ride on Cleethorpes Light Railway before enjoying a picnic together at the newly refurbished sandpit. Parents were invited too and about 20 came along to help and share the children's fun. It was the first time some had seen the refurbished area and said they would be returning again with their families.
Councillor Martin Vickers, portfolio holder for environment, said: "I am pleased that residents and schools of North East Lincolnshire used Love Parks Week as an opportunity to get out in the fresh air, have some fun and spend time with their friends and families. I am happy to see the Love Parks Week campaign highlighted and local green spaces put in the spotlight."
All of Willows Primary School students, between the ages of eight and 11, took part in an outdoor learning day at Weelsby Woods during the week of events. The children were met by Pat O'Carroll, a local eco-friendly sculptor and wood carver, who demonstrated his craft skills, made a hammer from a tree branch and helped them to build a shelter using reclaimed timber and tarpaulin. Laura Gill and Dan Pyrah, both members of the Specialist Health Promotion Team, organised team games in the afternoon which the children enjoyed in the sunshine.
All of the children were given a Woodland Trust Log Book to complete at home with prizes for the best efforts.
Val Puncher, head of Willows Primary School said: "Several of the children had visited the woods before but always to play on the swings or play football on the grass there. The school wanted to give the children some experiences and learning opportunities that they had not had before."All of the children loved the day and staff felt that not only had they enjoyed it, but that it had been a great learning experience for them."
Tony Burman, neighbourhood safety scheme senior warden, held activities including a mini beast hunt and fun and games, at People's Park with Weelsby Primary School Reception and Nursery children. Strand Infants School also visited People's Park for a mini beast hunt and other activities.
Tony and his colleagues also arranged a treasure hunt at Kingston Gardens with Yarborough Primary School plus a sports day at Sidney Park with William Barcroft School. Students from Thrunscoe School took part in a fun run in Trinity Field.
Other events held during Love Parks Week included St Hugh's Scout Group holding a treasure hunt, taking over 20 Beavers pond dipping in Freshney Parkway and accompanying 18 Cubs for a walk round Weelsby Woods.
The Friends of the Freshney organised a treasure hunt which took place at the Duke of York Gardens, while family fun days took place in Sidney Park and Kingston Gardens, arranged by Friends of Sidney Park and RAWK Neighborhood Watch Group, respectively, which included a host of activities and refreshments.
Nathan Vear, environmental improvement manager at North East Lincolnshire Council, said: "The Love Parks Week campaign is a non-profit event organised by parks charity GreenSpace. The theme for Love Parks Week 2008 was to promote the role that parks can play in the health of children, particularly given the growing problem of childhood obesity.
"We are extremely pleased that so many people took part in the events organised by the council and partnering agencies and glad that so many children were given the opportunity to visit some of the many parks and open spaces available in North East Lincolnshire."
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