Friends of South Ribble Parks & Open Spaces
The Friends Groups do amazing work to look after South Ribble’s parks and open spaces.
About Friends of South Ribble Parks
The Friends of South Ribble Parks and Open Spaces is a collective of several “Friends” groups that have come together to showcase the work carried out by volunteers across parks and open spaces in South Ribble.
In recent years, the importance of green spaces has become increasingly evident—not only for the wellbeing of residents, but also for wildlife and the wider environment.
During the pandemic, many people rediscovered the benefits of gardening and spending time outdoors. For those without access to a garden, local parks and green spaces proved to be a vital lifeline. Alongside the lasting effects of the pandemic, communities now also face the challenges of the climate emergency, rising energy costs, and the ongoing cost of living crisis.
The Parks
The parks range from small community spaces to major heritage landscapes, but all share a common thread—active volunteer groups helping to protect, improve and bring life to South Ribble’s green spaces.
The Friends of South Ribble Parks and Open Spaces support a wide range of parks, nature reserves, and green spaces across the borough. Each site has its own character, but all are cared for and improved by dedicated volunteer groups working alongside the council.
- Farington Lodges – A historic series of lakes originally created for steam trains, now valued for walking and wildlife, with volunteers maintaining paths and habitats.
- Farington Park – A small urban park with play areas, meadows, woodland and a pond, cared for through regular conservation and maintenance work.
- Hurst Grange Park – A large historic park in Penwortham with woodland, meadows and heritage features, supported by a long-established and highly active Friends group.
- Longton Brickcroft Nature Reserve – A former industrial site transformed into a rich wetland nature reserve, with extensive volunteer involvement in conservation and visitor activities.
- Marsh Way Pond – A small community green space centred on an ancient pond, improved over time through local volunteer care and planting.
- Paradise Park – A network of paths and green spaces in Leyland, restored by volunteers from a neglected site into a well-used community and wildlife area.
- Strawberry Valley Park – A community-driven park developed to provide better play facilities and inclusive spaces, including a dementia-friendly garden.
- Walton Park – A woodland and pond habitat designed to manage water run-off, enhanced with paths, viewing areas and wildlife features by volunteers.
- Withy Grove Park – A large, Green Flag award-winning park in Bamber Bridge combining sports facilities with meadows, ponds and woodland.
- Worden Park – The borough’s flagship park, offering extensive parkland, heritage features and attractions, supported by an active Friends group.
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Walton Park
Walton Park is a network of woodland paths centred around a main pond, situated on land between The Preston Junction Nature Reserve and the Walton Park housing estate. The primary pond was created by adapting an existing stream to help manage surface water run-off from the surrounding housing. Additional smaller ponds across the site support a rich variety of wildlife, including newts, frogs, and dragonflies.
The Friends of Walton Park group, established in 2006, has played a major role in shaping the park as it is today. Through securing funding from sources such as the Lottery Fund, Lancashire Environmental Fund, and local member grants, the group has delivered a range of improvements. These include the installation of viewing platforms and information panels, the creation of woodland paths, a bug hotel, raised flower beds, a hibernaculum, and a bog walk.
Volunteers meet for two hours on the second Tuesday of each month, from 10:00 to 12:00. Activities vary depending on the season and weather, but typically include litter picking, bulb planting, pruning, hedge laying, bird box construction, pond management, path maintenance, and other practical conservation tasks.
Find out more on the Friends of South Ribble Parks & Open Spaces website:
https://friendsofsouthribbleparks.co.uk/
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