The Friendly Parks for All project had a great summer in 2024 with lots of activities, and park developments aimed at making parks in the borough of Richmond accessible to all park users and to break down barriers for those who find it difficult to access them. There is plenty more planned for the autumn.
Richmond’s parks and open spaces are home to a wide and varied range of suitable places for people and wildlife. There are places to play, to be active, and to relax in, as well as natural habitats to explore.
About the project
The Friendly Parks for All project aims to get more people visiting parks in Richmond and to understand the barriers to spending time in parks. The model of accessible Friendly Parks for All has been developed in consultation with several local care charities (e.g. Ruils and Richmond Borough Mind) in order to meet the needs of their clients. Other aims include:
- Improving opportunities to engage with parks for residents to enjoy by improving access for people that face barriers to spending time in parks.
- Promoting the benefits of engaging with the natural environment for health and wellbeing, especially for groups who have identified inequalities and face barriers to accessing these spaces.
- Providing tailored interventions that address these identified inequalities to address barriers to access and inequalities.
There is more information on the parks pages of the council website parks pages : www.richmond.gov.uk/services/parks_and_open_spaces/explore_richmonds_parks_and_open_spaces
Friendly Parks for All activities
Wellbeing walks (in association with Ruils and Richmond Borough Mind)
10.30am-12.30pm
Friday 15th November 2024
Route: Thames path Mortlake Green to Kew Green
Meet: Mortlake Green, Mortlake High Street SW14 8HY
10.30am-12.30pm
Friday 13th December 2024
Route: Barnes Common
Meet: Barnes Station, Station Road, Barnes SW13 0HT
10.30am-12.30pm
Friday 17th January 2025
Route: Barge Walk
Meet: Hampton Court, Lion Gate, Hampton Court Road KT8 9BS
10.30am-12.30pm
Friday 21st February 2025
Route: Bushy Park
Meet: Park Road entrance to Bushy Park Park Road/Chestnut Avenue TW11 0BH
10.30am-12.30pm
Friday 21st March 2025
Route: Thames path in Twickenham
Meet: Civic Centre, York Street, Twickenham TW1 3BZ
Accessible Wellbeing walks (in association with Ruils and Richmond Ramblers)
A free monthly guided walk along an accessible path along the river Crane. The walk is open to all but suitable for people in wheelchairs and people using walking aids. The walks are an opportunity to spend time enjoying nature with others.
1-3pm (meet at 12.45pm)
Thursday 7th November 2024
Thursday 5th December 2024
January 2025 No walk
Thursday 1st February 2025
Route: Twickenham Junction Rough to Kneller Gardens and return
Meet: Meet next to the fountains at The Crane Tap, London Road, Twickenham TW1 1BE (opposite Twickenham Station)
The Litter Challenge (in association with Dementia Friends and Richmond Borough Mind)
Join the monthly litter pick and work with your local community to benefit people and wildlife.
10.30-11.30am
Thursday 14th November 2024
Thursday 12th December 2024
Thursday 9th January 2025
Thursday 13th February 2025
Meet: Kneller Gardens, Meadway, Twickenham, TW2 6PH (near the pavilion)
How to participate
For further information or to register, please contact
- Richmond Parks: parks@richmond.gov.uk
- Richmond Borough Mind: peer.network@rbmind.org
- Ruils: garywilliams@ruils.co.uk or 07904 608 404
