One of the Parks Developments Teams main aims is to create a self sustaining network of community groups working in partnership with the Council towards the regeneration of the boroughs parks and open spaces.

The establishment of Friends Groups is a relatively new development within Dudley and is rapidly gaining impetus within the community. Such groups work in partnership with the Council and parks staff in not only addressing current issues but also in looking to the long term regeneration and development of their local park.

As part of our philosophy in a working partnership with the parks, it is essential that we look to develop self sustaining groups which, after an initial period of high input in the establishment phase, are able to run with reduced support enabling staff to aid development in new areas of the Borough.

We have an online network for friends groups who link together called ‘Dudley Open Spaces Forum’. This enables local groups to share experiences, discuss common issues and exchange ideas about projects, events etc. Such links help to establish a further support network at a grass roots level, again enabling limited resources to be maximised.

What are Friends Groups?

A Friends Group is a number of interested local people coming together with the aim of improving the appearance, facilities, conservation value and safety of their local park or open space. People will become involved at the start who already care about this, you will inevitably attract new members as you go and start to achieve things.

Why form a group?

This can be for any number of reasons, the main one being to do something positive about a park or open space. A friends group is an effective and recognised method of achieving this.

 

How to become a member?

There are already a number of ‘Friends Groups’ in Dudley (some of whom can be seen below), who have each been running for a short time and may have different priorities for their areas, (there are no set goals for all groups, its what you want that counts). These groups to some extent have already achieved success and learned lessons from this process, and together with the Council and this pack, would be only too willing to advise you on some do’s and don’ts.

Friends of the Parks Contacts

Friends of Buffery Park & Grazebrook Memorial
Steve Briscoe (Chair)
Email: bufferypark@yahoo.co.uk
Web: http://bufferyparkonline.co.uk/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Buffery-community-Park-201060951368/?fref=ts

Bumble Hole NR Conservation Group
Tel: 01384 814100

Friends of Leasowes Park
Marianne Diller (Chair)
Tel:0121 422 7585

Friends of Mary Stevens Park
Councillor Heather Rogers (Chair)
Tel:01384 824939
Web: http://www.marystevenspark.org/
Email: cllr.heather.rogers@dudley.gov.uk

Friends of Milking Bank Park
Anita Wilkes (Chair Person)
Email: anita.wilkes@blueyonder.co.uk

Friends of Netherton Park
Richard Johnson (Group Secretary)
Email: friends@nethertonpark.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NethertonPark/?fref=ts

Wall Heath Village People (Wall Heath Parks)
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Wall-Heath-Village-People-786818204709809/?hc_ref=NEWSFEED

Friends of Priory Park
Chris Rich (Secretary)
Web: Friends of Priory Park website
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Prioryparkdudley/

Friends of Wollescote Park
Craig Lees (Chair)
Web: http://wollescotepark.webs.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/friendsofwollescotepark/

Friends of Hurst Green Park
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/friendsofhurstgreenpark/

Friends of Marsh Park & Lawyers Field
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MarshParkLawyersField/?fref=ts

Friends of Silver Jubilee Park
Email: janhhickman@aol.co.uk
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/silver.jubilee.31

Friends of Homer Hill Park
Val Bloomer (Chair)
Email: homerhillhouse@hotmail.co.uk
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1412386069031407/

Friends of Quarry Bank Park
Mary Sparks (Secretary)
Email: marysparks@hotmail.co.uk

Friends of Huntingtree Park
Alan Hackett (Chair)
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/huntingtree/

This is not the entire list of all Friends Groups across the borough. If you need information about a specific park/group please contact Parks Development Team on the details below.

For further Information, please see Friends Information Pack below.