We are delighted to announce that the Countess of Chester Country Park was awarded the Best Community Health Initiative at the National Custodian Awards yesterday. This recognises the range of innovative activities that take place in the Park supporting people of all ages and abilities to become healthier and more active.
The Park is owned by national land management charity the Land Trust and maintained by TCV and covers 19ha of green open space, wetlands and forest. Located next to the Countess of Chester Health Park, close to residential areas and a two-mile walk from the city centre, the country park is ideally placed to bring the health benefits of the outdoors to a wide range of people.
Initiatives and activities include:
- A weekly programme of TCV-led green gym, buggy walks, Nordic walking, health walks and "walk to run" sessions.
- Chester park run, attracting an average of 230 participants every Saturday morning.
- A programme of activities for local health staff, tailored to their needs and timetables.
- Forest School sessions giving schoolchildren the opportunity to enjoy hands-on learning.
- Tree planting and other park maintenance, giving people the chance to help care for their park and get some alternative exercise.
- A "Green Angels" training scheme helping local people to gain skills and benefit from social cohesion and outdoor activity.
Alan Carter, Director of Portfolio Management at the Land Trust, said: “It’s fantastic that our health programme at the Countess of Chester Country Park has been recognised in this way. We’re seeing more and more people using their local green space to walk, run or cycle, and hearing all sorts of positive feedback about the difference getting outdoors and active is making to people’s mental and physical wellbeing. Our thanks go to all our partners who help make the Country Park such a valuable asset for the whole community.”
We're delighted that this initiative, made possible by several organisations working closely in partnership together, has been recognised by Horticulture Week. Activities such as TCV's Green Gym have a proven impact on people's health and wellbeing and provide a welcome alternative to more traditional forms of physical activity, such as sports and fitness classes.
Darren York, TCV Chief Executive
