People in Hartlepool are being invited to discover, support and celebrate their local parks at fun, FREE activities for Love Parks Week.
Love Parks Week - which this year runs from 24 July to 2 August - is an annual national campaign run by Keep Britain Tidy highlighting the vital role green spaces play in boosting the health and wellbeing of residents and communities.
Hartlepool Borough Council is running events throughout the week in Ward Jackson Park, Rossmere Park, Seaton Park, Burn Valley Gardens, on the Town Moor and on Seaton Carew main beach, in partnership with a number of local organisations.
The activities include an opportunity to have a go at outdoor bowls, a nature hunt, arts and crafts, beach volleyball, a day of lovely brass band music, basketball and football, traditional games and a chance to try Tai Chi and Qigong.
All the events are free and suitable for all ages. There’s no need to book.
The full programme is:
Sunday 26 July
* Little Fun Food Fest on the grass in Ward Jackson Park, 10am-4pm. Explore how to reduce food waste with the Council’s Parks and Countryside Team.
* Try bowls on the Ward Jackson Park bowling green with Hartlepool and District Bowls Association, 10am-4pm. Please wear flat shoes.
* Messy crafts and games with Play Out Hartlepool on the grass beside the bandstand in Ward Jackson Park, 10am-4pm.
* Traditional games with Hartlepool Sport on the grass between the café and bandstand in Ward Jackson Park, 10am-4pm.
* Football and other games with Hartlepool Sport next to the play dome in Rossmere Park, 11am-2pm.
* Relax to the sound of traditional and modern music from Hartlepool Brass Band at the bandstand in Ward Jackson Park, 1pm-3pm. Why not bring a picnic?
* Basketball with Hartlepool Sport on the Town Moor on the Headland, 11am-2pm.
* Beach volleyball with Hartlepool Sport on Seaton Carew main beach near the beach huts, 11am-2pm.
Tuesday 28 July
* Sports, crafts and walking quests with Hartlepool Sport at the play area on The Front at Seaton Carew, 11am-2pm.
Wednesday 29 July
* Urban sport with Hartlepool Sport in the Lower Garden in Burn Valley Gardens, 11am-2pm.
* A nature hunt, painting and arts and crafts with Play Out Hartlepool on the big grass space next to the playground in Ward Jackson Park, 11am-2pm.
Thursday 30 July
Come and try Tai Chi and Qigong for health and wellbeing, with Mark Scanlon, on the grass between the café and bandstand in Ward Jackson Park, 10am-11am.
Friday 31 July
* Sports and play activities with Hartlepool Sport in Seaton Park in Station Lane, Seaton Carew, 11am-2pm.
Saturday 1 August
Come and try Tai Chi and Qigong for health and wellbeing, with Mark Scanlon, on the grass between the café and bandstand in Ward Jackson Park, 2pm-3pm.
Sunday 2 August
* Football and other games with Hartlepool Sport next to the play dome in Rossmere Park, 11am-2pm.
* Basketball with Hartlepool Sport on the Town Moor on the Headland, 11am-2pm.
* Beach volleyball with Hartlepool Sport on Seaton Carew main beach near the beach huts, 11am-2pm.
Councillor Rob Darby, Chair of Hartlepool Borough Council's Housing, Growth and Communities Committee, said: “Love Parks Week is a fantastic opportunity to get outdoors, try something new and make the most of the brilliant green spaces we have here in Hartlepool.
“Our parks and open spaces are at the heart of our communities, providing places where people can be active, connect with nature and spend quality time with family and friends.
“With everything from sports and games to arts, crafts and live music on offer, there really is something for everyone.
“I’d encourage residents of all ages to come along, get involved and discover just how much our local parks and open spaces have to offer.”