The Parks Trust looks back on a year of success

It was an exciting 2017 for the Trust, with the completion of a £2.8million investment into Willen Lake and the opening of the new Splash ‘n’ Play splash park. The Parks Trust’s events team organised and enabled over 500 events and activities in the parkland, many of which were held to celebrate the city’s 50th anniversary.

David Foster, chief executive of The Parks Trust, said: “We think it is very important to reflect on our successes and highlights as we move from one year to the next; and what a year 2017 was!

“With everything from our core work of managing the parks and landscapes to new events, MK50 birthday celebrations to a royal visit it was action-packed throughout, with plenty for everyone to enjoy.

The Parks Trust – 10 Highlights of 2017

The Parks Trust organised a series of events and activities to celebrate the city’s 50th birthday. The Trust also established a permanent marked 25-mile challenge walk across its glorious parkland. It has already been well used by local charities and good causes for sponsored walks.

The Trust invested £2.8million into Willen Lake and opened Splash ‘n’ Play, one of the UK’s largest outdoor splash parks with over 70 water features.

Four wild Konik ponies were introduced to the Floodplain Forest Nature Reserve in May to graze the area and help maintain a diverse landscape.

Three members of the Trust’s Operations team; Rob Riekie, Colin Savage, and Mark Colton celebrated 25 years at The Parks Trust.

The Parks Trust partnered with the Environment Agency and Wild Trout Trust to create a 30-metre-long refuge in times of flood for fish along the River Ouzel at Woughton.

The Trust worked with Berks, Bucks & Oxon Wildlife Trust and Milton Keynes Natural History Society to present the city’s first ever week-long Festival of Nature.

In July, The Parks Trust received the prestigious Green Flag Award for all of the parks, woodlands and lakes we manage across Milton Keynes.

Community groups from across the city used the parkland for a variety of diverse events, including MK Hindu Association’s Mela, African Diaspora Day and Filipino Festival.

The Duke of Cambridge visited Campbell Park in September as part of a special visit to celebrate the city’s 50th birthday.

The Outdoor Learning Team worked with around 6,000 schoolchildren throughout the year, and now offers the John Muir award to groups across Milton Keynes.

Also by the Milton Keynes Citizen newspaper:

The power of énergie comes to Milton Keynes