Conference to celebrate Plymouth's great outdoors

Conservationists, scientists, rangers and public health specialists will be celebrating the success of some extraordinary outdoor projects that have transformed lives and landscapes across the city.

A conference will take place on November 28 at Hamoaze House, Mount Wise to share the learning from the projects Stepping Stones to Nature and Blue Sound which have brought together community organisations, schools, children’s and youth centres to get people outdoors more – not just for fresh air, but to exercise and to be happy.

The event is open to professionals from all sectors and will include best practice from the Plymouth schemes as well as case studies from national research to help plan future projects for our great outdoors.

Plymouth is home to over 225 green spaces, ranging from amazing nature reserves, wildlife sites, playgrounds and parks. As Britain’s Ocean City, Plymouth also has stunning marine environment just metres from the shore at Devil’s Point.

The far-reaching four-year projects have, for instance, encouraged parents to join cooking clubs, create gardens and play with their children outside. Teachers at one school taking part in activities reported better attendance. During every school holiday activities were put on for families to have fun in the fresh air.

Councillor Brian Vincent, Cabinet Member for the Environment, said: “The impact of all these events will go on for years. People’s lives – particularly those in our less well-off areas – have been transformed. Dads are getting outside with their children and having fun away from computers and televisions, volunteers are developing new skills and experience and beginning to grow in confidence. Without the hard work and the involvement of our residents, the city would not have achieved any of this."

Here’s a snapshot of some of the achievements:

* Ham Woods – working with local people to transform it from a fly-tipped ‘no-go area’ into a popular, well-cared for and beautiful community woodland. In the woods is a stunning seating sculpture by international artist, Peter Randall-Page, which is attracting visitors. Local people are also working on their own creative seating project

* Rothesay Gardens – students and residents helped design play areas, make equipment and seating with the help of company Earthwrights. Then the children got involved and spent half-term building the play area. Touch wood – there’s been no vandalism and its reduced conflict between the area’s older and younger residents

* Southway Valley Community Orchard – a friends group has been formed and residents helped plant trees. Children from Beechwood Primary School made an animated film and there was an apple-themed arts exhibition at the Southway precinct

* Moor Men’s Health – supporting men with health issues to use Dartmoor in partnership with NHS. Targeted at men and run by men, it was designed to get men out and active on Dartmoor, taking part in physical activity as well as explore its history, geology and wildlife. Events included guided walks and conservation. Those who took part developed as a team, increased physical activity levels and now head out to the moors more often

* The regional launch of Natural Connections – a pilot project with Plymouth University to encourage stronger links between children and the natural environment by supporting schools to take learning out of the class and into the grounds, parks and woodlands.

Some big longer term projects are also underway including the creation of Saltram Countryside Park. A heritage trail is being created with way-markers and benches designed with the help of local people. A play trail is also being planned as well as walking and cycling improvements.

Councillor Vincent added: “Plymouth needs to grow its green space as it gets bigger. We need to make the most of our stunning environment both green and marine– show it off as a perk of Plymouth.

This project shows what a co-operative council is all about. More than 60 organisations have worked with us – from across the city as well as in the surrounding countryside to make life in Plymouth that much better for our residents and our visitors.”
To book visit www.plymouth.gov.uk/greeninfrastructureproject