Darlington Council's celebrating Love Parks Week
Pop on your trainers, grab your bikes, bring a ball and make the most of Darlington's amazing green spaces this love parks week.
Boasting 16 fantastic parks, and ten nature reserves, Darlington really is the perfect place to get out and active this week, especially if you’re looking for something fun and low cost to do with the kids while they’re off school. Get them burning off some energy at one of the town's fantastic play parks, have a game of football, basketball or badminton on one of the many available pitches and multi-purpose courts or take a stroll and explore the local wildlife.
From outdoor gyms, skate parks and bike tracks, to fishing, tennis and other leisurely pursuits- there's something for people of all ages and interests to enjoy - and best of all it's completely free!
The South Park, located close to the centre of town is a grade II registered historic park and much-loved local destination, featuring stunning flower beds, a Victorian band stand, and ornamental lake and fountains. It has held a Green Flag Award since 2006 and has won awards including gold in the national Britain and bloom awards 2023 and Northumbrian bloom awards 2024. Why not take a jog around the 5km park run route which meanders through the park, or pop your skates on and experience the thrill of coasting down some of the larger banks ? Children of all ages can go wild in the play areas, take on daring stunts in the skate park or enjoy a game of hide and seek in the gardens and wooded areas. And after all that exercise – you can finish your visit with a cup of coffee (or sneaky ice-cream) in the South Park café – go on, you’ve earned it!
If bikes are more your thing, explore the cycle ways at Cocker Beck or get your adrenaline going on one of our exciting bike tracks at North Park or West Park. The 12-hectare, green flag nature reserve at West Park also boasts an orienteering course, orchard and natural play area. It’s wildflower meadows are also a great places to spot butterflies; why not take part in this year's Big Butterfly Count, a nationwide survey running until Sunday 10 August which helps to assess the health of our environment - visit www.bigbutterflycount.org for information.
You can also look out for roe deer at Geneva Woods, spot rare species including great crested newts, emperor dragonflies, and Daubenton’s bats at Maidendale fishing and local nature reserve, or go bird watching to spot the elusive kingfisher at Drinkfield Marsh.
A full list of parks and green spaces in Darlington can be found on Darlington Borough Council's website at Darlington BC - Parks and green spaces
Cllr Stephen Harker, leader of Darlington Borough Council said "Our parks and nature reserves are some of Darlington's greatest treasures. As well as playing an important role in the fight against climate change - improving air and water quality, reducing urban heat and supporting biodiversity - they offer local people a place to connect, unwind and stay healthy, while attracting visitors to the town which supports our local economy.
“In Darlington, only half of all children are physically active and nearly a quarter of local adults do not engage in any physical activity at all – something we are committed to changing! Being active is a right, not a privilege, and our parks offer the perfect opportunity to get up and moving - with or without kids, at any age. Doing some physical activity is better than none and can help you live longer in good health, as well as having a positive impact on your mood and general wellbeing. It's especially good for children and young people; supporting the proper development of their minds and bodies."