Love Your Local Park

Residents are being encouraged to get out and about in their local parks as part of a national celebration of our open spaces.

The annual Love Parks Week - which this year takes place between 27 July and 4 August - promotes our green spaces as essential places for healthy, happy and strong communities.

The event has grown steadily over the last few years, with hundreds of events taking place across the country - enabling thousands of people to get out and enjoy their local parks.

St Helens Council's Cabinet Member for Environment and Neighbourhoods, Councillor Seve Gomez-Aspron said: "Quality, green spaces are essential to healthy, happy communities. And here in the borough we've got some great parks for people to enjoy.

"People of all ages can enjoy what's on offer - whether it's Pets Corner at Sherdley Park, the skatepark at Victoria Park or the lake at Taylor Park, we've got all the bases covered. There are local parks, country parks and a whole lot more just waiting to be discovered."

Events taking place in St Helens during Love Parks Week include:

  • Sunday 28 July: Banks Park Loop Walk, starting at Banks Park, Billinge at 10.30am.
  • Tuesday 30 July: Family Fun Day at Victoria Park (12noon to 4pm).
  • Saturday 3 August: Newton Town Show in Mesnes Park, Newton-le-Willows (11am start).

And, as well as the local attractions and natural splendour of the parks themselves, the council is keen to emphasise the huge amount of work that's taking place to make them peaceful and safe for visitors.

Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Housing, Planning and Community Safety Councillor Richard McCauley explained: "At this time of year especially we're making sure that anti-social behaviour doesn't spoil the enjoyment of park visitors.

"Our own Safespace campaign is cracking down on things like off road vehicle nuisance, dog fouling and anti-social behaviour - and pointing young people to a huge range of alternative, positive activities." 

To report off-road vehicle nuisance call the police on 101. 

To report dog fouling, call St Helens Council's Dog Welfare and Enforcement Team on 01744 676338.