The City of Nottingham has just achieved its highest number of Green Flag Awards for its parks and natural spaces since the awards began 20 years ago.

21 parks, 5 local nature reserves and 3 cemeteries attained the awards this year. 

The 21 parks are Bulwell Bogs, Bulwell Forest, Clifton Playing Fields, Colwick Country Park, Coppice Recreation Ground, Forest Recreation Ground, Heathfield Park, Highfields Park, King George V Park, Lenton Abbey Park, Lenton Recreation Ground, Nottingham Arboretum, Queen's Walk Recreation Ground, Radford Recreation Ground, Strelley Recreation Ground, Valley Road Park, Vernon Park, Victoria Embankment, Victoria Park, Wollaton Park and Woodthorpe Park. In addition the Arboretum and the Forest both received Green Heritage Awards alongside the Green Flag award.

The 5 Local Nature Reserves are Colwick Woods, Martin’s Pond, Sandy Banks and two Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust sites Harrison's Plantation and Sellers Wood. 

The 3 cemeteries are Bulwell (Northern) Cemetery, High Wood Cemetery and Southern (Wilford Hill) Cemetery.

17 Green Flag Community Awards were also handed out to green spaces that are managed by local communities. The recipients are Arkwright Meadows Community Gardens, Brewhouse Yard Gardens, Bulwell Forest Community Garden, Carrington Community Garden, City Hospital Garden, Friends of Green's Mill Community Garden, Holme Pit, Iremongers Pond, Lark Hill Village, Meadows Library Garden, Poplar Park, SALTAR garden, St Ann's Community Orchard, St Leo's Church, St Martin's Church, Stonebridge City Farm and Wollaton Park Community Centre Garden.  

New Park Ranger Alastair Glenn has just joined the team appointed to look after Broxtowe Country Park!

After previously working as a Ranger at Rushcliffe Country Park he was looking for a bigger challenge to set his sights on.

Alastair (centre of picture) said “I’m really keen to get the public involved in their local park, it’s such a great open space, and I want the whole community to be using it!”

A whole host of new events will be occurring on the park throughout the year starting with a big Family Fun Day and continuing with other events and activities throughout the school holidays. 

The Family Fun Day takes place on Thursday 25th August between 12 – 4pm by the basketball court and BMX track. Bring a picnic and enjoy a range of sports, bouncy castles, music, Ranger activities, food and more!

The nearest entry point to this spot is Linfield road, NG8 6HR.

It is free and suitable for all ages. For more details including meeting places please visit; http://www.ng-spaces.org.uk/

Linked into the Breathing Spaces play is our very latest tree trail which takes you on a tour of Nottingham's enclosure parks and walks.

In 1845 an enclosure act was passed by Parliament which enabled 130 acres of land to be set aside for the creation of an interconnected series of public parks and walks. These eventually included Nottingham Arboretum, The Forest, Meadows Cricket Ground, Bath Street Cricket Ground and three miles of 90-foot wide walks including Corporation Oaks, Elm Avenue and Robin Hood’s Chase.

The tree trail celebrates these spaces and some of the wonderful trees that can be found on them. You can pick up a copy at the play performance or in the pavilons at the Forest or at Queen's Walk Recreation Ground. They are also avaialable at Woodthorpe Grange Park and in the Tourist Information Centre and will soon be available for download.

We're confident the sun is here to stay now so, sticking with the theme, two amazing films will be available for you to come and see in the beautiful Highfields Park.

Nottingham Lakeside Arts and the University of Nottingham’s Film Society, The Silver Screen, are working in partnership with QUAD and our Parks team to bring a new opportunity to enjoy cinema al fresco style!

The first night is Tuesday 27th September and is a showing of The Jungle Book (2016), but the second nights choice on Wednesday 28th September is down to a public vote, through an on-line campaign. Voting closes Friday 5th August though so be quick and vote for one of the following top films; The Shawshank Redemption, E.T., Grease, Dirty Dancing, Top Gun or Forrest Gump.

For more information and to vote, please visit; http://www.lakesidearts.org.uk

Wondering what to do this Summer? Our ranger activities should give you a few ideas. 

Kicking off our summer activities are the ever popular pond dipping sessions where you can come along and take a dip into the watery world of our amazing pond dwellers.

The first session is at Colwick Country Park on Wednesday 27th July at 1pm and meets near the lake near the Adventure Centre car park. NG4 2EW.

Then it's at Martin’s Pond at 1pm on Wednesday 3rd August meeting near the pond at the Russell Avenue Entrance. NG8 2BP.

Finally pop over to Vernon Park on Wednesday 17th August at 1pm for a last dip meeting by the fishing lake. NG6 0AP.

You can also have a go at catching some airborne beasties too if you'd rather!

Pop over to Ranger Simon's Nature Walk & Big Butterfly Count on Victoria Embankment & Iremonger’s Pond on Thursday 28th July at 1pm. Meet by the play area on Victoria Embankment. NG2 2JY.

For more details visit; www.nottinghamcity.gov.uk/whatson

If it's a challenge you're after, why not head over to one of our parks and take part in our annual orienteering challenge.

Taking place between 1pm and 3pm on the first 4 mondays in August, you can have a go at navigating your way around four of our popular parks just for fun or by being timed and entered into an end of summer league table.

The first one takes place at Woodthorpe Grange Park on Monday 1st August and meets in front of the Grange. NG5 4HA.

Then it's Bulwell Hall Park on Monday 8th August meeting near the main car park by the golf pavilion. NG6 8LF.

The third one is at the Forest Recreation Ground on Monday 15th August meeting near the Pirate Ship play area. NG5 2BU.

Lastly you can have a go at Wollaton Park on Monday 22nd August starting at the lower courtyard near the café. NG8 2AE.

For more details visit; www.nottinghamcity.gov.uk/whatson

There is just one place left, yes count it, 1 place left on this years Bushcraft Summer School at Highfields Park.

We've got lots of great stuff lined up including fire lighting, shelter building, orienteering, woodland crafts, natural art, bat watching, campfire cooking and even an  (optional) overnight sleepover in the wild!

The fun runs from Tuesday 2nd August to Friday 5th August with the sleepover on the Thursday night. Suitable for 9-12 year olds only.

To grab this last place, contact the Box Office on 0115 846 7777.