Celebrate Love Parks Week (26 July - 4 August) in Ards and North Down

Parks in Ards and North Down will be among hundreds across the country taking part in Love Parks Week 2024.

The celebration takes place from 26 July to 4 August, bringing together local authorities, green space managers, landowners, residents and community organisations to celebrate and support our fantastic green spaces.

Several activities and events will take place in all corners of the Borough as part of the campaign. The celebrations start with a bird walk in Kiltonga Nature Reserve, Newtownards, and a bat night in Lisbane on Friday 26 July.

Many more activities will be hosted during the week, including a biodiversity walk at Whitespots, art activities in Bangor Castle Walled Garden and Holywood's Ballymenoch Park, environmental storytelling in Portaferry, a bird walk in Donaghadee, a history tour in Bangor's Castle Park, plus a series of events in Cairn Wood, Newtownards.

The Borough's Love Parks Week culminates with Garlic in the Garden on Saturday 3 August, a brand new family event held in Bangor Castle Walled Garden. Many varieties of garlic are grown in the garden and the free-to-attend event will feature food stalls, face painters and music while providing the opportunity to learn more about the horticultural aspects of wild garlic.

The Mayor of Ards and North Down, Councillor Alistair Cathcart, said:

"This annual campaign celebrates parks and green spaces as well as the dedicated volunteers and workers that look after them all year round. There are activities across the Borough that people can get involved in to learn more about our parks and green spaces. They will provide a great opportunity to connect with nature in the heart of our cities, towns, and neighbourhoods."

Keep Britain Tidy's Chief Executive, Allison Ogden-Newton OBE, said:

"Keep Britain Tidy's Love Parks campaign is an opportunity for everyone to celebrate, appreciate and recognise the value of their park and green space. To talk about what that green space means for them and their communities. Parks improve our health and wellbeing, and we want everyone to hear that message so that during this week of putting the spotlight on our precious parks people who may not think parks are for them, give their local space a visit."

"The Love Parks campaign would not be possible without the backing of our local authority partners, including Ards and North Down Borough Council, park professionals and landowners."

Places are limited for some events. For more details, including a full schedule of events, visit Love Parks Week - Ards and North Down Borough Council