Home to joggers, pigeons and sparrows, for sure, London's bountiful parkland is due some appreciation this week as Love Parks Week begins. This annual greenspace campaign is to encourage you into your local oasis and enjoy the great outdoors. Of course, being the middle of the English summer, you'll need umbrella, galoshes, a thermos and a groundsheet if you want to settle in but there's no doubt that we have some smashingly lovely parks on our hands that are nothing to do with your Vorsprung Durch Technic, you know.
Visit London reckons we have "148 parks and gardens,122 heaths, commons and greens, 16 city farms.. [and] 8 Royal Parks". We are definitely spoilt for choice. If you're not someone who regularly takes advantage of the wondrous bounty of green space available within walking distance, then to tempt you out this week there are quest trails, playtimes, music, picnics, bouncy castles, tours, theatricals, clowns, cricketers, fun fairs and more. Check out the Love Parks Week website and keep your eyes peeled locally.
But park love should be perennial. We want more park fitness, perambulatory exploration, imaginings, investment, photography and the investigation of wild, unclassifiable spaces. And less dog poo and rubbish please. Love your park year round - do.
We want photos of your local parks in our Flickrpool please - capture your parklife: green space, duck pond, wildlife, picnic parties, joggers, five a siders, cafe goers, barbecuers, wardens, powerprammers, sunbathers and flowerbeds on camera and add to the pool. Thanks!
