The Bristol & Bath Parks Foundation, a new ground-breaking initiative which aims to rethink the way parks and green spaces are supported, is to launch at the Festival of Nature this weekend.
The new charity will develop innovative ways to generate funds, encourage new volunteering and support communities to make parks better for all.
With Council budgets under pressure, the charity will support aspects of parks that make an extra difference to their communities, whether it’s helping to increase access, support health initiatives or enhance well-loved features.
The initiative will take inspiration from the Bournemouth Parks Foundation model, which has raised over £500,000 of funds raised since 2015.
Their projects include raising over £100,000 towards a new aviary in Bournemouth Gardens and raising over £50,000 towards a new ecotherapy project to improve the mental and physical health and wellbeing of participants through conservation, horticulture and arts-based therapy in parks.
The Bristol & Bath Parks Foundation received a set up grant of £193,000 last year as part of the Rethinking Parks programme, funded by National Lottery Community Fund, National Lottery Heritage Fund and Nesta, to create the independent charity.
The charity will be working in partnership with Bristol City Council, Bath & North East Somerset Council, the Bristol Parks Forum and the Natural History Consortium. The ownership and maintenance of the parks will remain with the councils.
The charity will launch at the Bath Festival of Nature in Green Park on Saturday 1st June and at the Bristol Festival of Nature Big Weekend in Queen Square on Saturday 8th and Sunday 9th June.
In these early stages, it is keen to find out more about what people value in parks so will be asking the questions: ‘What is special about your park?’ and ‘What does your park mean to you?’.
Actors from the Natural Theatre Company and local illustrator, Sam Church, will provide an entertaining way for people to share their stories and ideas for the future.
There will also be an opportunity for local businesses to find out more about the early stages of the Foundation and how to get involved at the Bristol Green Capital Partnership’s ‘Green Mingle’ networking event on Thursday 6th June (5.30 – 7.30pm).
Rob Acton-Campbell, Secretary, Bristol Parks Forum and Trustee of the Foundation said: “This is a brilliant opportunity to breathe new life into our parks by increasing community engagement and finding new funding sources outside of the local authorities.
“It’s a model that has proved incredibly successful in Bournemouth, and we look forward to having a similar impact across the beautiful green spaces of Bristol and Bath.”
Over the next two years, the Foundation aims to identify a range of sites that require improvements or enhancements and launch its first fundraising initiatives.
It will begin with a small number of ideas that have the backing of the local community and can capture the imagination of the wider public.
The Foundation will tackle similar themes to those addressed in Bournemouth. For example, how to improve local parks and preserve their unique features for the benefit of the community.
It will also encourage projects that protect nature and wildlife, reduce social isolation and benefit mental and physical wellbeing.