Annual Friends of Parks Conference

The conference reached out to the 24 Friends Groups which are volunteers dedicated to improving parks and open green spaces with the Council. It was well attended and had presentations on issues such as the prevention of crime in parks, how people can get more involved with their local park and how young people can do their bit.

Speakers included Neil Isaac, Assistant Director for Parks, Alexandra Rook of London Parks and Green Spaces Forum and Cllr Chris Bond, Cabinet Member for Environment.

Jo-Ann Brown, from the Friends of Forty Hall said “The Friends Conference gave us all a unique opportunity to meet other like minded people who care about their local parks and green spaces, and are keen to give their time to try to make them more welcoming.

“In Enfield we have over 2,000 hectares of green spaces which we share with many protected species and it was good to know that Enfield Council are doing their utmost to ensure their habitat and the habitat of other wildlife is protected not only for current users, but future generations.

“I managed to do lots of networking and I felt the Conference was well organised and certainly gave me more insight into what Enfield Council is doing to improve the beautiful green spaces that we in our borough. ”

Cllr Chris Bond, Cabinet Member for Environment said “I would like to thank every one of our Friends Groups, and the volunteers who give up their spare time, for their tireless work continuing to improve our parks.

“Many of them are the eyes and ears of the Council and bring to us the issues and problems we need to know about to make our parks some of the most beautiful in London.

“Working alongside dedicated parks staff, the Friends Group brings a unique insight into how we can change our green spaces to improve them further. I was delighted to attend the conference.”