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More volunteers needed to care for town's parks

Alex PopeBedfordshire, Hertfordshire and Buckinghamshire
Friends of People's Park Three people walking on a path in an area full of trees. A woman in the middle is holding a large plastic bag, wearing dark trousers and green jacket. A man to the right is wearing a blue jacket, light trainers and a red top and is holding a plastic bag. A woman to the left is also holding plastic bag, wearing blue jeans, red top, blue jacket and blue hat. Friends of People's Park
Luton Friends of Parks and Green Spaces has asked people to "give a bit more love and care" to parks and green spaces across the town

More volunteers are needed to care for green spaces across Luton and help secure £2.5m of grants needed to restore a historic boating lake and park.

Luton Friends of Parks and Green Spaces (LFPGS), an umbrella group of representatives of parks and green spaces, run by Luton Borough Council, said it wanted people to carry out litter picks, look after plants or trees, and run events.

In March 2024, the council was awarded £274,000 from the National Lottery Heritage Fund to improve Wardown Park's lake and historic boathouse and plans to apply for a full Heritage Fund grant of a potential £2.5m to make further improvements.

"Public involvement is an essential part of the project," it said.

Friends of People's Park A large group of people, outside, wearing coats and warm clothing, in front of a large selection of bagged up rubbish. There is a wheelbarrow with equipment on it, a path to the right and large areas of green grass. Friends of People's Park
Friends of People's Park regularly holds litter picks in Luton

The council-owned park was opened in 1904.

David Landau, from Friends of People's Park, which looks after another green space in the town, said being part of the wider LFPGS network helped the group "spread the word, learn from other organisations and gives us direct access to the council's parks team".

John Mardle, chairman of LFPGS, said: "It's surprising how little it takes to start a group and help your local park, recreation ground or woodland."

He said support would be on hand and asked anyone interested in getting involved to get in touch.

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