Through the year there have been lots of events and activities across the city’s parks for residents to enjoy, including the MK Health Walks programme of 528 walks attended by more than 12,000 participants getting active outdoors.
This year’s calendar included all the fan favourites like Bat Walks, Parkland Play, and community litter picks, as well as the popular new series of Parks & Ride cycling events for families. There was record attendance for Parks & Run in 2024, and the Walking Festival featured new collaboration events with both MK Lit Fest and artists of the Gyosei Art Trail. Park events brought different cultures and communities together to celebrate, from African Diaspora to MK Pride Festival, and the finale of City of Codes and Light Festival.
It was great to see so many of MK’s furry residents enjoying the parks too, with regular Woof Walks around the city and the annual two-day pooch party, the Big Doggie Do, at Willen Lake.
It’s been an exciting year at Willen Lake, where a new nature-themed adventure golf course opened alongside upgrades to TreeTop Extreme just before the summer holidays. And, Willen On Ice returned this winter – with MK’s biggest festive rink – adding accessible festive fun to the year-round adventures (tickets still available until 5th January, don’t miss out).
Committed to making Milton Keynes green spaces more accessible, the Trust introduced AccessAble Guides for Great Linford Manor Park, Stanton Low Park, and Furzton Lake. Inclusivity improvements at Furzton Lake also saw the installation of wheelchair-friendly benches, widened pathways, walkway edges, extended handrails and wayfinding pillars.
Improved accessibility is also central to the brand-new websites for theparkstrust.com and willenlake.org.uk which are packed with information to help residents and visitors explore the city’s parks, and learn about public art, heritage, and how the charity cares for MK’s landscape.
As always, trees have been a key feature in the Trust’s operation. From surveys to landscape management and planting – some 28,000 new plants and shrubs, and a whopping 65,000 bulbs to bring a pop of colour and help pollinators next spring. In 2024 there was also a special planting ceremony for the county’s Coronation Tree, and the completion of the Middleton Wood Meadow project which was greatly supported by community groups and local school children.
The Trust’s Outdoor Learning programme engaged with 22,400 residents, through learning sessions, school assemblies, youth groups, and Open Mornings at Howe Park Wood. The team’s impressive work with young people was recognised by winning the Environmental and Sustainability Award at the MK Education Awards.
Award wins didn’t stop there… The Parks Trust retained Green Flag Award for an 8th consecutive year, and is the only organisation to hold this for a whole network of parks!
Celebrations also included the unveiling of new public art – The Bee and The Butterfly - at Howe Park Wood, the announcement of a new (‘city status’) pillar at MK Rose, and the 40th anniversary of Campbell Park - look out for a special heritage trail in the new year. Most recently, the Trust shared the exciting news that Milton Keynes is to receive one of 49 Sycamore Gap Tree of Hope saplings – due to be planted next winter.
All of this work (and more) is delivered by a team of passionate staff, contractors, and volunteers. In fact, the 250 Parks Trust volunteers have committed more than 10,000 hours this year – a huge Thank You to them all!
Chief Executive of The Parks Trust, Victoria Miles MBE said: “As we wrap up another year, we're looking forward to a jam-packed 2025, and we're working hard to make sure it will be as fun-filled as this year has been. Our team, along with our volunteers and trustees work tirelessly to make sure we deliver a mixture of free and subsidised activities across our green spaces, parks and lakes for the people of Milton Keynes and beyond. This year has seen a bumper year of events, volunteering activities and outdoor learning experiences, whilst our Operations Teams continue to do an incredible job in maintaining and developing the 6,500 acre Parks Trust estate. With all good wishes for the festive season, we look forward to seeing you out and about over the holidays and in the year ahead.”
Spending more time outdoors, being active, and getting closer to nature make for great New Year’s Resolutions – make the most of being in-the-know by following The Parks Trust on social media, or sign-up to receive a monthly newsletter.
The charity caring for your parks wishes you a wonderful festive period, and a Happy New Year!
