By Cllr Jason Brock
This Friday, July 29, is the start of national Love Parks Week.
It always reminds me just how lucky we are in Reading to be able to enjoy so many wonderful parks and other green spaces right on our doorstep.
It may surprise you, but even in our densely urban town, we have over 100 green sites across our borough.
They range from woodlands to riverside walks and wildflower meadows to destination adventure play areas and, of course, historic gardens.
Whether it’s walking the dog, going for a run, picnicking with our friends, or pushing the kids on a playground swing, our parks give our communities and families (and pets) a vital outdoor space and leisure destination.
We know just how important our parks and recreational area are for everyone’s wellbeing and for our environment. The Council recognises this, which is why every year we continue to invest millions in them – creating new play areas, protecting nature reserves, and conserving and enhancing our famous heritage sites.
Most of us will have visited the splendid Forbury Gardens and Abbey Ruins, the jewel of our town’s heritage crown, right in the centre of Reading. But there are so many other beautiful locations across the borough which you may not have been to yet.
These include relatively hidden gems such as the woodlands at Lousehill and Blundell’s Copse in west Reading, Clayfield Copse in the north of the borough, Waterloo Meadows towards the south, and Reading Old Cemetery in the east.
All five are magnificent wildlife havens and worth a trip if you have never been there before.
In my own patch of Southcote, at Prospect Park – alongside the ancient oak woodland and magnificent parkland, and in addition to the popular tennis and ball courts – we’ve also recently opened a fun nine-hole accessible mini-golf course featuring famous Reading landmarks.
This is the first part of a larger new play hub and activity centre at the park’s pavilion, called the Ranger Station, which will fully open later in the year.
We are also investing over £500,000 in a huge new adventure playground in the park for children of all ages and abilities, with work due to start on the new area in the autumn.
Exploring your hometown is always worthwhile, even if we all think we know it well, and I always try to walk places whenever I can.
Alongside cycling, it’s the most environmentally friendly way to travel, helps keep you fit and saves you money. I’m also pleased to say, then, that the Council has launched a new set of cycling and walking maps to help you get out and about and explore our town.
As well as a nifty interactive online map, we’ve also got some printable versions you can download on the Council’s website and we’ve put some free copies in all our local library branches.
These maps would be a perfect guide to exploring the hidden gems I’ve mentioned, plus there are many more to discover.
The benefits of being outside in the natural environment are more vital than ever and I hope everyone will get out this summer exploring all of Reading’s fantastic parks – and plenty more besides.
Cllr Jason Brock is the leader of Reading Borough Council and Labour ward member for Southcote
