We love Somerset’s parks; you love Somerset’s parks and now we’ve got a reason to celebrate them together – Love Parks Week 2023.

Love Parks Week takes place from 28 July to 6 August to celebrate these vibrant, living spaces, that bring communities together and provide an opportunity to connect with nature in the heart of our cities, towns, and neighbourhoods.

Our Parks and Grounds teams along with volunteer groups work hard all year to keep our parks and open spaces looking blooming lovely and Love Parks Week not only celebrates parks and open spaces but perhaps, most importantly, the volunteers and workers who look after them all year round.

This Summer our parks will play host to 12 free Playdays in 12 parks across south Somerset between 1st and 24th August and in Highbridge, Apex Park will host its free Playday on Wednesday 2nd August.

Vivary Park in Taunton will also be used by the organisers of the Taunton Flower Show on Friday 4th and Saturday 5th August showing just how versatile these spaces are.

Councillor Federica Smith-Roberts, Lead Member for Communities, Housing and Culture at Somerset Council, said:

Love Parks Week is a great time to celebrate all the wonderful parks and play areas we have in Somerset and recognise the hard work that goes into maintaining these areas not only by our staff but all the volunteers.

Councillor Dixie Darch, Associate Lead Member for Environment and Climate Change at Somerset Council said:

We are so lucky to be home to such a variety of beautiful parks and open spaces bursting with biodiversity and wildlife, and a space for everyone to enjoy whether it be for play, exercise or relaxation and socialising! A lot of hard work goes into maintaining and protecting these vital spaces and this week is a great opportunity to take a moment and appreciate the beautiful outdoor spaces we have and recognise the work of all those involved in keeping them as somewhere to be enjoyed.