We aim to create a self sustaining network of community groups to work in partnership with us towards the regeneration of the borough parks and open spaces.
Friends 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, it's 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 would be only too willing to advise you on some do’s and don’ts. Please download the 'Friends of parks Information Pack' below for more information.
Friends of the parks contacts
Friends of Buffery Park & Grazebrook Memorial
Steve Briscoe (Chair)
Email: bufferypark@yahoo.co.uk
Bumble Hole NR Conservation Group.
Tel: 01384 814100
Friends of Leasowes Park
Marianne Diller (Chair)
Tel:0121 422 7585
Friends of Mary Stevens Park
Mark Gadd (Chair)
Tel:01384 824939
Email: marystevensfriends@gmail.com
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
Chris Rich (Secretary)
Facebook:@Prioryparkdudley
Friends of Wollescote Park
Web: www.wollescotepark.webs.com
Julia Marks (acting chair). Telephone: 07989172297
Mike Marks (secretary). Email: marks.mick@gmail.com
Friends of Silver Jubilee Park
Email: janhhickman@aol.co.uk
Facebook: www.facebook.com/silver.jubilee.31
Friends of Homer Hill Park
Val Bloomer (Chair)
Email: homerhillhouse@hotmail.co.uk
Friends of Quarry Bank Park
Charlotte Viney (Secretary)
Email: fotpstevensparkqb@outlook.com
Follow us on Facebook: @parkquarrybank
Friends of Huntingtree Park
Alan Hackett (Chair)
Friends of Marsh Park and Lawyers Field
Facebook: www.facebook.com/fompalf
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.
Related Services
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Parks Development Team
Lister Road Depot, Lister Road, Dudley, West Midlands, DY2 8JW -
Monday to Friday, 9.00 am to 5.00 pm, Please note that the offices are closed at weekends and Bank Holidays