Friends groups

What is a friends group?

A friends group is made up of local residents and other interested parties who dedicate their time and knowledge to improve their local park or open space. Anyone can join a friends group, you don't need to live in the immediate area to be a member and it is up to you how much time you dedicate. 

What do friends groups do?

Friends groups represent the local community and help the Clean, Safe and Green team by advising and determining what kinds of improvements could be made to the park or open space. They can help to gain funding for certain projects and most friends groups also get 'hands on' and help to carry out a range of activities. For example, bulb planting, vegetation clearance and clean up days. The list of possibilities is endless.

Why join a friends group?

We are always looking for enthusiastic volunteers of all ages to join our friends groups or to establish new groups. By joining a friends group you can:

  • help improve the park's appearance
  • have a say in its facilities
  • improve its biodiversity
  • increase its safety
  • meet new people
  • get exercise and improve health and well-being
  • make a positive contribution to your local area.

Expand all

Current friends groups

  • Friends of Canal Fields, Berkhamsted

    The Friends of Canal Fields group was established in 2008, the first year the site was awarded a Green Flag. The group take care of the Millennium Garden in Canal Fields, which is designed to promote biodiversity and sustainability. The group have been involved with various activities throughout the years and have created links with other organisations, including the Canal and Riverside Partnership (CARP), Bulbourne Restoration Project, British Waterways and, more locally, with the Swan Youth Centre for work around the skate park.

    For more information, contact Rob Cassidy on robert.cassidy@dacorum.gov.uk or phone 01442 228853.

  • Friends of Chipperfield Common
    To join the group, please email treesandwoodlands@dacorum.gov.uk or call 01442 228844.
  • Friends of Tring Memorial Garden

    The Friends of Tring Memorial Garden group was formed in April 2012. Since then, the friends have been involved with many aspects of the garden, including planting up flower beds and working with our officers to suggest possible improvements to the site, as well as building their profile within the local community.

    For more information, email Rob Cassidy on robert.cassidy@dacorum.gov.uk or phone 01442 228853.

  • Friends of the Water Gardens

    The Friends of the Water Gardens assisted in the restoration of the Jellicoe Water Gardens in Hemel Hempstead town centre, which was completed in 2017. Activities include joining in with gardening, sharing the Gardens' history and heritage, undertaking surveys and giving their views on how the Gardens can be improved.

    To find out more about the Gardens, please visit our regeneration pages

    New members are always welcome. For more information about joining, please visit our Friends of the Water Gardens page.

  • Friends of Gadebridge Park

    The Friends of Gadebridge Park was formed in August 2012. They have worked on maintaining the river banks by helping to clear the river of weeds and rubbish as well as litter picking throughout the park.

    With the help of the local scout group they have been planting bulbs around the trees and signs.

    For more information, contact Rob Cassidy at robert.cassidy@dacorum.gov.uk or phone 01442 228853.

  • Friends of Bunkers Park, Hemel Hempstead
    To join the group, please email treesandwoodlands@dacorum.gov.uk or call 01442 228844.
  • Friends of Halsey Field

    The group was established in 2015, soon after the Halsey Field in Gadebridge was declared a Local Wildlife Site. It looks after the site by controlling the scrub, maintaining the footpaths and mowing and raking the grass, to encourage biodiversity. The group is supported by The Chilterns and Hertfordshire Conservation Volunteers during some of its working parties.

    The field is responding very well to this management and is full of wild flowers, bees and butterflies during the summer months. Other activities have included moth surveys, a butterfly count, and a dawn chorus walk.

    For more information, please email chrisridleysen@yahoo.co.uk or call/text 07463 821287.

  • Friends of the Nickey Line

    The Nickey Line footpath and cycleway is a former railway line running from Harpenden to Hemel Hempstead. Friends of the Nickey Line is a local community group that works to enhance, maintain and encourage use of the area. The group run regular volunteer work parties including litter clearance, vegetation clearance and local wildlife-related events.

    For more information, email friends@nickeyline.org or call 01582 622771.

Contact us

If you would like to join, set up or find out more about friends groups, please contact us.

Email: cleansafegreen@dacorum.gov.uk
Telephone: 01442 228000 and ask for Clean, Safe and Green.

Page Last Updated: Monday, 31 July 2017 at 10:49 AM