Schoolchildren across Milton Keynes Get Closer to Nature at The Parks Trust’s Junior Rangers Conference

by Sarah Featley

The Parks Trust, the self-financing charity that manages and maintains over 5,000 acres of Milton Keynes’ green space, welcomed 33 students from nine schools across the city for its fourth annual Junior Rangers Conference.

The Junior Rangers enjoyed an action-packed day of activities at Linford Lakes Nature Reserve, including owl pellet dissection, a team challenge which involved discovering and identifying mammal tracks and trails and birdwatching.

The Junior Rangers also took part in a quiz about The Parks Trust and the role of the Community Rangers. An important and exciting part of the day was the opportunity for each school to give a verbal presentation, briefly sharing ideas (and visuals), on what they have achieved so far this academic year and how they are engaging with the other children in their school.

Middleton School were the overall winners of the challenges and quiz, taking home a birdfeeder and some bird food as their prize.

The Junior Rangers were joined by seven members of The Parks Trust team, including Biodiversity Officer Martin Kincaid, who gave a talk on the mammals found at the reserve, and Community Rangers Susi Jensen and Lewis Dickinson, who led the birdwatching session in the afternoon.

Amanda Bailey, Education Ranger and co-ordinator of the JPR programme at The Parks Trust, commented: “Our Junior Park Rangers Conference was a fantastic day which was truly enjoyed by all. The Rangers are great ambassadors for The Parks Trust as they are so enthusiastic about the natural environment and what they can do to protect and support it, which was very inspiring to see.

“It’s hugely important that our children and young people grow up to care for and learn about their local environment, so we are dedicated to involving them in our activities wherever possible.”

The Junior Rangers scheme is free to join, simple to run and is fully supported by the Education Team at The Parks Trust. As part of the scheme up to four children per school, from years 4-6, are recruited as Junior Park Rangers.

The role of a Junior Ranger is to tell other children in their school all about their local parks and how they can keep their parks clean and full of wildlife. Rangers have three main jobs: they read out a monthly parks’ bulletin in assembly; run competitions, quizzes and campaigns to raise awareness about events and issues in the parks; and set up and maintain a noticeboard with posters, pictures and maps.

For more information about Junior Rangers, please get in touch with The Parks Trust Education team, at 01908 233600 or education@theparktrust.com

Planning Permission Granted for Adventure Golf Course and Café at Furzton Lake

By Sarah Featley

Planning permission has been granted for exciting new leisure facilities at Furzton Lake. The Parks Trust and Golf City MK have partnered for this project, which will see the construction of a 27 hole dinosaur-themed adventure golf course and a stunning new timber building housing a café and cycle shop.

This will be complemented by a large outdoor seating area, with views across the lake.

The adventure golf course will feature an 18 hole section alongside a nine hole, disabled friendly area. The existing car park will be extended to offer an additional 28 spaces, including nine disabled spaces.

Already one of Milton Keynes’ most popular parks, this development will make Furzton Lake even more of a destination, and will also provide employment opportunities. Building works are anticipated to begin in March 2017.

David Foster, Chief Executive of The Parks Trust, commented: “We’re thrilled to have been granted planning permission for this development at Furzton Lake. Our visitor surveys always tell us how much people enjoy visiting Furzton Lake but that they wish there were toilets, café and activities for children.

“This development will give residents of Milton Keynes greater opportunities to spend time with friends and family in an outdoor environment as part of a healthy lifestyle. The proposed facilities have been designed specifically for this project and are unique in the UK. They will conform to the highest design in terms of appearance, safety and security. We can’t wait for the construction to start!”

For more information, please visit www.theparkstrust.com

The Parks Trust Presents Exciting Programme of Activity to Celebrate MK50

By Sarah Featley

The Parks Trust, the charity that cares for Milton Keynes’ parks and green spaces, has planned a series of events and activities to celebrate the city’s 50^th birthday, with exciting activities for people of all ages and interests to enjoy.

A highlight of the year for many will be The Parks Trust’s partnership with Milton Keynes Council to offer a special programme of 50 led walks throughout 2017. These walks will be held at a wide variety of locations across the beautiful and inspiring city, offering people the chance to discover new areas and learn more about Milton Keynes. The most adventurous of all will be The Parks Trust’s 25 mile Challenge Walk, which will begin at Howe Park Wood. This will be a self-guided walk stretching across the city’s parkland, with a downloadable map available at www.theparkstrust.com

This will be complemented by The Parks Trust’s definitive list of the 50 most notable trees in Milton Keynes. The list has been compiled by those who work amongst the trees every day as part of the Trust’s operations team and residents will be invited to vote for their favourite. Downloadable leaflets with details on each tree and how to find them will be available online.

These trees will also be added to the Open University’s Treezilla project; the monster map of Britain’s trees which details how they benefit the local environment and economy. The Parks Trust will be running an adult education session on Saturday 20 May providing guidance on how people can evaluate Milton Keynes’ trees and add them to the map themselves.

For those keen to give something back to the city, The Parks Trust will be combining with parish councils to run 50 litter picking sessions throughout the year, encouraging residents to help Milton Keynes look its best. During National Volunteering week (beginning 1^st June) there will be a litter pick at Willen Lake North, as well as other activities for people to enjoy, including reed planting.

Wildlife fans will love The Parks Trust’s Festival of Nature, being held in partnership with BBO Wildlife Trust and MK Natural History Society. This is a week-long celebration of nature, organised for the first time to coincide with the 50^th birthday celebrations. It begins with the Trust’s annual Nature Day on 1 July and during the week there will be nature themed guided walks, competitions, and lots of opportunities for people to get discover the world around them.

The Parks Trust’s annual public meeting, on Thursday 6 July, will be an opportunity for the charity to reflect on its heritage and what it has achieved since its formation 25 years ago, while launching its strategic plan for the coming years.

Meanwhile on Friday 4 August, people can enjoy fun and games at Willen Lake for Love Willen Day. This is a perfect summer holiday treat, with free garden games, pond dipping and pedalo rides for all.

The Parks Trust will again be partnering with Milton Keynes City Orchestra for its hugely popular event, Proms in Campbell Park. Taking place on Friday 18 August, this is sure to be an excellent way to mark such an important milestone in the city’s history.

In addition, as part of MK50, The Parks Trust has offered 50 free education sessions to community groups and schools across Milton Keynes, with the lucky recipients including Army Cadets, Women’s Institutes, Brownie packs and Scout troops. These sessions will cover a host of activities, including bushcraft, guided walks, bug hunting, and pedalo hire at Willen Lake.

David Foster, Chief Executive of The Parks Trust, commented: “Milton Keynes is a very special city and it is important to celebrate its many achievements and the advantages it offers to those who live, work and visit here.

“We wanted to create a programme of events and activities throughout the year that would encourage people to spend time outside in our beautiful parks, lakes and woodlands. We hope people enjoy celebrating with us!”

The Parks Trust will be supporting and helping with a wide variety of other celebratory activities throughout the year, including with the supplying and the planting of a commemorative tree in Milton Keynes village, and third party events in its parks.

For more information visit: http://www.theparkstrust.com

The Parks Trust – Holocaust Memorial Day

by Sarah Featley

The Parks Trust is holding a short ceremony at the MK Rose for Holocaust Memorial Day on Friday 27^th January 2017.

The event will begin at 11am, and is open to all. Booking is not required.

The MK Rose is located in Campbell Park. To reach it by car, park in the centre:mk car parks at the John Lewis end and use the footbridge which leads into the park.

For more information visit: http://www.theparkstrust.com

About The Parks Trust

The Parks Trust is an independent charity that cares for over 5,000 acres of parkland and green space in Milton Keynes. This includes the river valleys, ancient woodlands, lakesides, parks and landscaped areas alongside the main roads, all of which make the city such a great place to live, work and visit.

·         About 25 percent of the new city area is parkland

·         In addition to parkland, The Parks Trust takes care of the landscaping along the main grid roads – 80 miles of trees, shrubs and flowers

The Parks Trust is also committed to delivering environmental education for both children and adults, and providing exciting leisure and recreation facilities and events.

£2Million Park Improvement Begins at Willen Lake

By Sarah Featley

Willen Lake, Milton Keynes’ most popular park, is receiving an investment of over £2million from The Parks Trust in the first half of 2017. This money will be used to improve facilities for visitors, including the installation of a state of the art ‘Splash Park’.

The ‘Splash Park’ will be joined by a new coffee and ice cream kiosk, with increased toilet facilities, and a new, surfaced car park offering an additional 300 spaces. Additional natural play features will be installed and grass areas within the site will be re-landscaped, improving the space available for play, picnics and events. Furthermore earth bunds will be formed to better screen the site from traffic noise from Brickhill Street. 

Initial tree and shrub clearing work has already begun in preparation for the earth moving and construction works which will start later this month. The development is expected to complete in its entirety by early June, in order to have the full site and all new installations operational for the busy summer period.

During the work the lake, watersports centre and wakeboarding centre, café and play area will all remain open and accessible, but the north bay car park will be closed temporarily and visitors should use the south car park behind the gym, pub and Premier Inn. Further details can be found at www.willenlake.org.uk

This is the first phase of a larger improvement plan for Willen Lake, with a second phase focusing on the café and wakeboarding centre initially planned for completion in time for Summer 2018.

To assist with the implementation of this project and to manage the new and improved site, Willen Lake has employed Rob Wood as its new General Manager.

Rob commented: “It’s incredibly exciting for us all at Willen Lake, and The Parks Trust, to begin the New Year with such a large project. This development will greatly enhance the existing facilities at the site and provide our visitors with even more opportunities to enjoy the beautiful landscape and tranquil surroundings of the lake.”

For more information visit: http://www.theparkstrust.com

The Parks Trust Reflects on 2016 as it Begins a Busy 2017

by Sarah Featley

As The Parks Trust, the charity that cares for Milton Keynes’ parks and green spaces, begins what will be an exciting 2017, it has reflected on its highlights of 2016.

It was a successful year for the Trust, with the acquisition of a number of new parks, as well as wakeboarding centre WakeMK, located at Willen Lake. In addition, The Parks Trust hosted over 300 events in the parks, many of them organised by local groups, with 220 education sessions also held for people of all ages.

David Foster, Chief Executive of The Parks Trust, said: “2017 is shaping up to be a fantastic year for us, with a number of large scale developments planned for our green space.

“As we begin a new year it’s important to reflect on the successes of the last, which is why we’ve compiled our top 10 highlights from 2016, covering everything from the acquisition of WakeMK, the addition of Floodplain Forest Nature Reserve and Stanton Low Park to our green space, and the fantastic work of our operations team. We hope people will enjoy these, and we look forward to welcoming even more visitors to our parks in 2017.”

The Parks Trust – 10 Highlights of 2016

1.    Over 2,300 people enjoyed the 2016 Proms in Campbell Park, led by Damian Iorio and joined by soprano Jeni Bern.

2.    Adam Henson, rural TV presenter, officially opened the Floodplain Forest Nature Reserve in August, which covers 48 hectares of the Great Ouse Valley near Old Wolverton.

3.    The Parks Trust acquired WakeMK, home to three UK champions of the sport, in April.

4.    The essential work of the Operations Team continued, with the planting of 35,000 trees and shrubs, and the resurfacing of 11.5km of leisure routes.

5.    MK Council transferred Stanton Low Park into the Trust’s care. It has one of the city’s best play areas and over 50 hectares of parkland.

6.    In October, The Parks Trust gave a warm welcome to five new trustees; Duncan Mason, Richard Pearce, Gamiel Yafai, Phil Wheeler and Jan Flawn.

7.    The Parks Trust secured support from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) and Big Lottery Fund to restore the historic parkland around Great Linford Manor.

8.    Students from eight schools across Milton Keynes spent the day at The Parks Trust’s Junior Rangers’ Conference, held at Linford Lakes Nature Reserve.

9.    The exceptional growing conditions this year meant The Parks Trust made more hay than ever to feed our sheep and cattle over the winter.

10. The Parks Trust brought its property portfolio management in-house. The rental from its properties goes directly into maintaining the city’s parks and green spaces.

For more information, please visit www.theparkstrust.com

The Parks Trust Needs Your Votes to Bag a Share of Bag Charge Fund

By Sarah Featley

The Parks Trust is bidding to receive a cash boost from the Tesco Bags of Help initiative, to install BBQ sites in its parks.

Tesco teamed up with Groundwork to launch the monthly funding scheme, which sees grants of £5,000, £2,000 and £1,000 – all raised from the 5p bag levy – being awarded to local outdoor community projects.

Three groups in every Tesco region have been shortlisted to receive the cash award and this month shoppers are being invited to head along to Tesco stores to vote for who they think should take away the top grant.

The Parks Trust is one of the groups on the shortlist, with customers able to vote in a number of Tesco stores across the Milton Keynes area (see below list), including the Extra stores in Kingston and Wolverton.

The money will be used by The Parks Trust to create four community BBQ sites at some of its most popular green spaces; Willen Lake, Campbell Park, Caldecotte Lake and Haversham Road. The BBQ sites will hopefully be installed in time for the summer months, and include facilities such as picnic tables, BBQ stones, bins and signage.

Briony Fox, Head of Community Engagement for The Parks Trust, commented: “We’re so pleased to have made the shortlist for this funding and would love shoppers across Milton Keynes to vote for us. These BBQ sites will be much appreciated by our many visitors during the summer – and will certainly give us something to look forward to for when the weather warms up!”

Voting is open in stores from 2 January to 28 January 2017. Customers will cast their vote using a token given to them at the check-out in store each time they shop.

Lindsey Crompton, Head of Community at Tesco, said:

 “We are absolutely delighted to open the voting for January. There are some fantastic projects on the shortlists and we can’t wait to see them come to life in hundreds of communities.”

Groundwork’s national Chief Executive, Graham Duxbury, said:

 “We’ve been thrilled to see the diversity of projects that have applied for funding, ranging from outdoor classrooms, sports facilities, community gardens, play areas and everything in between.

“We’re looking forward to learning the results of the customer vote and then supporting each group to bring their project to life.”

The full list of Tesco stores where customers can vote for The Parks Trust is as follows:

• ·         Walnut Tree Express,MK7 7PB
• ·         Oldbrook Express, MK6 2JB
• ·         Tinkers Bridge Express, MK6 3DD
• ·         Melrose Avenue, Bletchley Express, MK3 6PB
• ·         North Furzton Express MK4 1EN
• ·         Egerton Gate Express, MK5 7HH
• ·         Old Farm Park Express, MK7 8QU
• ·         Newport Pagnell Elthorne Express, MK16 0JR
• ·         Olney Market Place Express, MK46 4BA
• ·         Oxley Park Express, MK4 4TE
• ·         Greenleys Express, MK12 6AX
• ·         Bletchley Extra, MK1 1DD
• ·         Kingston Extra, MK10 0AH
• ·         Buckingham Road Bletchley Express, MK3 5BU
• ·         Heelands Express, MK13 7PN
• ·         5 High Street Woburn Sands Express, MK17 8RQ
• ·         Wolverton, MK12 5RJ

For more information visit: http://www.theparkstrust.com

The Parks Trust Urges Caution During Icy Weather

By Sarah Featley

As the wintery weather takes hold, The Parks Trust, the self-funding charity that cares for Milton Keynes’ green spaces, urges all residents and visitors to its parks to be extra cautious around lakes and rivers.

Smaller bodies of water, such as the Grand Union Canal and the ponds at Westcroft tend to freeze over very quickly during the winter months, with the larger lakes following suit as the temperature continues to drop.

While these frozen over areas may seem like a tempting playground for many, the risks are real; statistics from the Royal Society of the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) show that in the last 10 years over 20 people have died after falling through ice, with young children and males of any age most at risk. Furthermore, over 50 per cent of ice related drownings involved an attempted rescue of another person or a dog.

Flooded areas are also a risk for those in Milton Keynes. The Floodplain Forest Nature Reserve, located behind Old Wolverton, and the car park on Haversham Road near Ouse Valley Park are, like the rest of the river valleys, particularly prone to extreme flooding.

Rob Riekie, Landscape and Operations Director for The Parks Trust, said: “We want to encourage everybody to get outside and enjoy Milton Keynes’ diverse landscape, which is just as beautiful during the winter months. However, the extreme weather we often experience at this time of year brings with it hidden dangers.

“Playing on iced over lakes may seem like fun but you truly will be dicing with death. We urge everyone to admire from the safety of the land and keep off the ice and out of any water, while also keeping an eye on all children and pets.

“There are also many areas of our city that will be prone to considerable flooding after heavy rainfall, and it is vital people do not try to access these, even if they are a favoured or habitual route. Keep safe, look after loved ones and have a great winter!”

For more information, please visit www.theparkstrust.com

The Parks Trust Warms Up its Singing Voice for Carols at the MK Rose

By Sarah Featley

The Parks Trust, the charity that cares for Milton Keynes’ parks and green spaces, is getting ready for one of the highlights of its events calendar – the annual Christmas carols celebration.

This year, Carols will be held at the MK Rose, located in Campbell Park. The event starts at 3pm on Sunday 18^th December 2016 with a performance by Abbeys Primary School from Bletchley, and the carolling will commence at 3.30pm. Singing will be accompanied by MK Youth Brass from Community Learning MK: Music Faculty.

All are welcome to the Carols at MK Rose event, which is free to attend. Willen Hospice will be selling refreshments including mulled wine and mince pies, in order to raise money for the hospice.

Julie Dawes, Events & Recreation Co-ordinator at The Parks Trust said: “We can’t wait for our carols event – it’s a hugely popular Milton Keynes tradition and it wouldn’t feel like Christmas without it. Last year we were able to raise a considerable amount of money for Willen Hospice and we’re aiming to do even better this time! We hope to see you there; don’t forget to wrap up warm and bring a torch or lantern.”

The nearest public parking for Carols at the MK Rose can be found at Milton Keynes Shopping Centre, with just a short walk over the bridge at the John Lewis end of the centre. Limited blue badge disabled parking available at Campbell Park off Avebury Boulevard.

For more information and to download a song sheet please visit www.theparkstrust.com

Spate of Vandalism Incidents Reported at Floodplain Forest Nature Reserve

By Sarah Featley

Bird hides at Floodplain Forest Nature Reserve, located in the Great Ouse Valley near Old Wolverton, Milton Keynes, have been subject to a spate of vandalism.

Although the area was only officially opened by The Parks Trust in August this year, since that time there has been a near continual stream of vandalism to the site.

This has included breaking the locks to the hides, smearing excrement around the hides, kicking the floor out to create large holes, damaging the shutters and guttering, and shelves being pulled off the walls.

Unfortunately, the vandalism has now culminated in the walls of one of the bird hides being used for air rifle target practice, with obscene graffiti scrawled on the benches.

The Parks Trust is working closely with Thames Valley Police to identify those responsible for this vandalism. CCTV cameras have also been installed in the area.

Rob Riekie, Landscape and Operations Director for The Parks Trust, commented: “It is incredibly frustrating to have the bird hides damaged so recklessly so soon after they were opened, particularly when we have had some very positive feedback from genuine users of the site.

“We are concerned that if firearms are being used, the temptation may be to target the many birds, livestock and other animals that are in the area.

“Examining the pattern of the damage seems to suggest it is being caused by people entering from the Haversham Road car park side of the reserve. We ask that other users of the nature reserve, and nearby residents, remain vigilant and report any suspicious behaviour to either ourselves or Thames Valley Police.”

For more information, please visit www.theparkstrust.com

Chief Executive of The Parks Trust Speaks at Parliament’s Communities and Local Government Committee

By Sarah Featley

David Foster, Chief Executive of The Parks Trust, the self-funding charity that cares for Milton Keynes’ green spaces, gave evidence in Parliament to the Communities and Local Government Committee’s public parks inquiry.

This was the latest oral evidence session held by the Committee as it examines the impact of reduced local authority budgets on open spaces and considers concerns that the existence of public parks is under threat.

David was joined by Mark Walton, Director of Shared Assets and Alan Carter, Director of Portfolio Management for the Land Trust. Together, they gave their views on how to enhance and protect public parks, including alternative funding sources, and the benefits and challenges of different land management arrangements.

David commented: “It was a real privilege to be asked to give evidence to the Committee, and I believe it was a successful session where I was able to put across the advantages of a model like The Parks Trust, and the positive impact this has had on Milton Keynes as a place to live and work.

“Unfortunately, there are many other places in the UK where green space is not such a priority and public parks are in crisis. It’s therefore vital for the government to consider whether there are alternative options available for the management of parks that may be more successful.

“We believe that charitable trusts similar to The Parks Trust could work very well in other towns and cities. With vision, drive, cross party support, central government encouragement and a bit of central government money to oil the wheels, local authorities could establish successful parks trusts that could halt the decline in our wonderful urban parks. If local authorities could set our parks free, allow local people to have a big hand in how they are run and welcome others in to contribute, what a wonderful thing that would be!”

To watch the evidence session, please visit: http://www.parliamentlive.tv/Event/Index/5d9544c0-3c6e-4797-bc65-86cc39e373fd

The session with David Foster begins at 10.36.

For more information, please visit www.theparkstrust.com

Deadly Tree Disease Reported in Milton Keynes for First Time

by Sarah Featley

Chalara dieback of ash, a potentially fatal fungal disease that affects ash trees, has been found in Milton Keynes for the first time, The Park Trust has confirmed.

Symptoms of the disease were seen in the early autumn on young sapling ash in Linford Wood, and in the west of the city on the Shenley/Whaddon Road and also on the Swan’s Way bridle route at Kingsmead. 

Samples from each site were sent to the Forestry Commission for testing and unfortunately confirmed positive.

It is highly likely the disease is elsewhere in the city and The Parks Trust continues to monitor its sites for further outbreaks, but it will be next year’s growing season when affected trees will be more clearly identified.

Chalara was initially reported in Buckinghamshire in 2012, the first time it had appeared in the UK. The county is categorised as being at high risk for the disease due to the amount of ash found in the area; in The Parks Trust’s semi-natural woodlands, ash take up about 65% of the upper canopies. Chalara causes leaf loss, crown dieback and bark lesions in affected trees. Once a tree is infected the disease is usually fatal, although complete death in a mature tree can take some years.

Rob Riekie, Landscape and Operations Director for The Parks Trust, commented: “While the confirmation that Chalara has spread to our trees is unfortunate, it is not a surprise and we have been preparing for the arrival of this disease to Milton Keynes for the last few years. We have already considered and initiated a serious of actions which we believe will counter and help reduce the effects of the disease.”

This has included; favouring the retention of other species over ash during annual thinning works, while leaving a diversity of species in worked areas and collecting oak acorns over the last two autumns, with seedlings then propagated. The first batch of oak trees are now due be planted out in the woodlands in winter 2017/18, which will help to fill the gap left by any ash trees that die and need to be removed.

However, even if an ash tree does catch the disease and it proves fatal, this does not necessarily mean it will be removed as dying trees of size offer increased habitat value to invertebrates, including beetles. The Parks Trust will need to look at this on a case by case means, as it also needs to consider the health and safety of the park users and its neighbours.

Rob added: “It has always been our aim to maintain a diverse tree plantation across our plantations and we will continue this moving forward. Avoiding mono-cultures will not only aid us against the effect of Chalara, but other tree diseases as well.

“The measures we have taken, and our ongoing communication with the Forestry Commission and DEFRA, will ensure Milton Keynes’ forests and green spaces continue to feature beautiful trees for decades to come.”

For more information please visit www.theparkstrust.com

2,000 Dace Fish Released into Milton Keynes Waterways by The Parks Trust and the Environment Agency

By Sarah Featley

Darren Burroughs from the Environment Agency

The Parks Trust, the self-funding charity that cares for Milton Keynes’ parks and green spaces, has partnered with the Environment Agency to introduce 2,000 dace to Milton Keynes waterways.

The fish were released after considerable developments to sections of the River Ouzel  near Walton Hall, and the Great Ouse on the Passenham/Millfield section, as part of an ongoing project to address the balance of the fish population in rivers of Milton Keynes.

Gravel deflectors, which improve spawning opportunities and the river habitat by offering different depth and flow, were installed in the section of river near Walton Hall. These deflectors also provide areas for fish to safely hide in during times of high flow. Once this work was complete, 1,000 dace (small, active freshwater fish of the carp family, Cyprinidae, which were reared at the Environment Agency’s fish farm in Calverton, near Nottingham) were released into the water.

A further 1,000 dace were introduced into the water in Passenham after the back channel of the river was opened up.

 The Parks Trust has contributed a total of £17,000 to these two schemes, assisting with the operational side of the project while the Environment Agency has focused on the technical aspects.

Rob Riekie, Landscape and Operations Director at The Parks Trust, commented: “The introduction of these 2,000 dace is the culmination of months of work by the Environment Agency and us to help improve fish populations in Milton Keynes. The positive impact of this project will increase over a period of years, but the dace will give the depleted stocks of young fish in the area a much-needed kick-start.

“Our partnership with the Environment Agency has been a real success, with our operational skills complementing their technical and legislative abilities. It’s been great to work with them on this and we look forward to continuing the project elsewhere in Milton Keynes.”

The next stage of the project is due to take place at Woughton on the Green during the autumn, with a section of an old channel opened up to create a refuge point for fish at times of high flows/river levels and flooding.

For more information please visit www.theparkstrust.com

Share your walks and trails to be featured in 50 Walks for MK50

Photo: Kelly Cooper

by Sarah Featley

To celebrate Milton Keynes’ 50^th Birthday next year, Milton Keynes Council and The Parks Trust are stepping up to jointly launch ‘50 Walks for MK50’.

This year-long programme will be filled with a variety of walking events, groups and trails; encouraging people of all ages, abilities and backgrounds to get outside and fall head over heels for the parks, lakes and open spaces all over Milton Keynes. But, when it comes to walking around Milton Keynes, who better to ask than the roaming citizens of MK! 

We want you to put your best foot forward, and share with us your very own favourite walks in the Milton Keynes area. These walks can be guided walks; as part of a walking group or an upcoming event, or, for MK’s walking enthusiasts, self-guided walks you can do on your own, accompanied with a map pointing to interesting things on route.

Walks on footpaths, forest floors, day-long rambles, afternoon strolls, or simply short lunch-break strides; the more walks we can showcase the better.

To share your walks with us, contact sportsdevelopment@Milton-keynes.gov.uk with information about your walk, including details of the planned dates (if guided), the locations and type of walk by Wednesday 9^th November.

Sheep Attacks on The Parks Trust Land

By Sarah Featley

Three sheep have been killed in a dog attack in Milton Keynes. The incident happened in the ‘Big Hill’ field, located between Floodplain Forest Nature Reserve and Manor Farm, found behind Old Wolverton.

It is believed that the attack took place sometime between Saturday evening and 10am Sunday morning.

Sheep graze in ‘Big Hill’ field every year from March to the onset of winter, rotating between this field and others in the same area. There is signage in place across the farmland instructing owners to keep their dogs on leads throughout the fields.

While this is the first fatal attack this year, previous incidents have been reported, with the most recent just six weeks ago.

This grazing area is part of farmland which belongs to The Parks Trust, and is managed by the Trust and its farming partner Luke Stacey. It is bordered by a public footpath which leads to the Floodplain Forest Nature Reserve and Manor Farm green spaces.

David Foster, Chief Executive of The Parks Trust, commented: “The majority of dog owners who use our parks are responsible and understand the importance of keeping their pets on the lead around sheep. Unfortunately, when these attacks do happen it is deeply shocking and distressing, both to our staff and farming partners who work in the fields and those who enjoy visiting them.

“The grazing sheep are a key feature of Milton Keynes and we regularly receive feedback on how much people enjoy seeing them. We would not wish to have to limit public access in these areas so do ask that owners remain vigilant and keep their dogs on the lead the whole time they are in the fields.

“If anyone has any information on these attacks please do come forward and contact ourselves or Thames Valley Police.”

Please call Thames Valley police on 101 quoting reference number 4316296289.

For further information please contact The Parks Trust on 01905 233600.

Howe Park Wood Play Area Transformed Thanks To Tesco’s Bags Of Help Campaign

by Sarah Featley

The Parks Trust, the charity that cares for Milton Keynes’ parks and green spaces, is delighted to unveil its latest completed project – which was funded by its successful £12,000 grant from Tesco’s Bags of Help campaign.

The supermarket teamed up with the charity with a green heart Groundwork to launch Tesco’s Bags of Help initiative, which saw grants of £12,000, £10,000 and £8,000 – all raised from the 5p bag levy – being awarded to environmental and greenspace projects. Eight million shoppers voted in stores up and down the country to determine which projects deserved the funding.

The Parks Trust used the money to create a new play area for toddlers at Howe Park Wood, which is located near Tattenhoe in Milton Keynes. This includes a climbing frame and balancing beam, and has been further enhanced by new interpretative signage and two new picnic table sets.

The play area perfectly complements the existing facilities at Howe Park Wood, such as the study centre and café, and it is hoped it will encourage visitors to increase dwell time here before they enter the woods itself.

Briony Fox, Head of Community Engagement for The Parks Trust, commented: “We’re thrilled that we’ve been able to complete this development at Howe Park Wood, and it’s all thanks to shoppers in the local area. The play area is a great addition to the study centre and café and we are sure it will prove very popular with our younger visitors and their families!”

Laura Muir, Project Manager (Communities), Groundwork South added: “I am so proud to be able to team up with Tesco in this fantastic scheme, it’s great that the 5ps from carrier bag usage is going to local good causes.  We are certainly not encouraging anyone to purchase a carrier bag, but for those times that you just have to buy one it’s nice to know that you are also contributing to an improvement in a local green space. I would encourage all charities, groups, schools and other organisations to look into applying for one of these Tesco grants while you can, the money is there, why not use it!”

Caroline Silke, Head of Community at Tesco, said: “It is wonderful to see how the money from our Bags of Help initiative has been spent. This is money that has come directly from Tesco customers living and shopping in each of our regions up and down the country. The feedback for the project has been brilliant.”

For more information visit: http://www.theparkstrust.com/parks/howe-park-wood

The Parks Trust Announces Winners of 2016 Photography Competition

By Sarah Featley

The Parks Trust, the self-funding charity that cares for Milton Keynes’ parks and green spaces, is pleased to announce the winners of its 2016 Photography Competition.

With 665 photographs entered by 230 people from across the city, the contest was tougher than ever before. Entries were made into three categories in adult and youth age groups; parklife, wildlife and landscape; with a winner and finalist chosen for each one. Of these three winners, an overall winner was then chosen from both the adult and youth sections.

Peter Watson was the overall adult winner, chosen for his striking winter image of Old Stumpy at Ouzel Valley Park, while Gracie Gardner’s stunning black and white close up of a swan clinched the overall youth winner title. Peter, as overall winner, was presented with his certificate by David Foster, Chief Executive of The Parks Trust, at the charity’s headquarters in Campbell Park,

The competition shortlist was whittled down by an expert panel of judges including Chairman of the New City Photography Society, Stephen Miller and Secretary, Don Byatt, and The Parks Trust’s Head of Community Engagement Briony Fox.

Briony commented: “We were hugely impressed by the quality of the photos submitted this year – people in Milton Keynes certainly know their bokeh from their contre-jour! It was difficult to narrow down the entries but we were blown away by Peter’s and Gracie’s in particular; they really are very special.

“We loved looking through people’s favourite images of their parks, and the competition truly demonstrated how lucky we are to have such a vast array of landscapes and habitats in Milton Keynes. We hope this will encourage even more people to visit the city’s green spaces, which are beautiful and inspiring all year round.”

The full list of winners for The Parks Trust’s 2016 Photography Competition is as follows:

Overall Adult Winner	Peter Watson (Old Stumpy at Ouzel Valley Park)
Adult Landscape category winner	Peter Watson (Old Stumpy at Ouzel Valley Park)
Adult Parklife category winner	Charlotte Green (Willen Lake)
Adult Wildlife category winner	Jo Angell (Willen Lake)
Overall Youth winner	Gracie Gardner (close up of swan)
Youth Landscape category winner	Sophie Bayliss (Wolverton Mill)
Youth Parklife category winner	Roslyn Moorhouse (Tree Cathedral)
Youth Wildlife category winner	Gracie Gardner (close up of swan)

For more information please visit www.theparkstrust.com

We Need Your Help: The Parks Trust Gears Up for Annual Make a Difference Day

by Sarah Featley

The Parks Trust is calling on the people of Milton Keynes to pull on their wellies, wrap up warm and lend a hand on its annual Make a Difference Day, which will be held on Saturday 22^nd October 2016.

This year, help is needed to plant spring bulbs at Willen Lake North between 10am and 12noon. Those keen to take part should meet staff from The Parks Trust at The Labyrinth maze at the north of the lake at 10am.

Volunteers are asked to dress for outside work with relevant footwear, and bring gardening gloves and a spade or trowel – all other equipment will be provided. Free parking can be found at Willen Pavilion car park.

Carla Boswell, Volunteer Coordinator at The Parks Trust, said: “The work of our volunteers is vital to ensuring Milton Keynes’ green spaces remain beautiful and inspiring places for people to visit and enjoy – we simply couldn’t do it without them!

“However, we know that there are those who would love to come and help but can’t commit to regularly volunteering, which is why we so hope they will join us for our Make a Difference Day.

“It’s a great opportunity to spend some time outdoors and enjoy the autumn season, while also helping us complete an important task before the weather gets cold.”

For more information please contact volunteering@theparkstrust.com or call 01908 255388