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Friends of Rowntree Park -April newsletter

Thursday, 6 April 2023 16:40

By Barbara Constable

Friends of Rowntree Park April 2023 newsletter

Happy April everybody!

Rowntree Park is full of the signs of spring!  The Cherry Plum blossom near the lychgate won't be with us much longer but the Blackthorn blossom and Cherry blossom won't be long!  If you take a close look you'll find a range of wild flowers popping up including Dog Violets and the Snakes Head Fritillaries - so much to see!

Read on to find out what we have been up to and what's still to come! As always - thank you so much for being a member and supporting our charity who help look after the park and run community events and activities.

The next public FRP meeting is Thursday 27th of April 7-8.30pm at the Park cafe - all welcome.

 
 

Make Space for Girls - June programme of events

As part of our work on ways to improve Rowntree Park to encourage more older girls to use it, we are putting together a programme of events and activities that will run through June aimed at 10-16 year olds (approximately). We are currently looking for individuals/ organisers/groups to run a session/activity during the month of June that girls can opt into.  We are after a range of things that work well in the outdoor space such as exercise, sports, dance, theatre, music, art, nature based activities - and what ever else you may think works.  Please get in contact to find out more and spread the word! The deadline to be involved in the programme is the end of April. Information will then be shared publicly from May. More info for potential facilitators can be found here.
 
 

The Rowntree Park 'Legendary' Easter Trail and Rowntree Park Rocks!

Join us on Thursday 6th of April for Easter fun in the park. Search the park for clues to help the Easter Bunny find her missing pal and earn a reward for all your help. Children will collect a trail sheet to find hidden clues around the park to help solve the missing bunny mystery. Once solved, they can return to find the bunny and receive a small reward for all their hard work. This has always been a popular event as a lovely way to have fun together with family and friends exploring nature -bring a picnic and make a full day of it!

In order to cut any queuing for sheet time - we are advising people book in advance. Trail sheets can be returned any time up to 1pm to receive a prize. Only £2.50 per child. Book here.

We also launched 'Rowntree Park Rocks' on Saturday 25th of March and it is running until Thursday 6th of April.  You can find painted rocks hidden around the park - take a photo, share with us and re hide.  If you find a GOLDEN ROCK then hang onto it and bring it to our Easter Trail on Thursday 6th of April to claim a prize (2 golden rocks hidden each day!) We hope you enjoy this fun project created by our Thursday night craft group. All ages welcome to get involved.
 

Rowntree Park in Virtual Reality - we want you to be part of a 'tester' focus group?

We are working in conjunction with the University of York who are developing a virtual reality programme to help people's health and wellbeing. The VR programme is aimed at people who perhaps can't get to green spaces and experience the benefits of nature easily.  The programme will focus on Rowntree Park and take the park to the people!  We are looking for 5 people to form a focus group who will try and test this programme through the next few months. Each session will be around an hour and the first is Tuesday 24th of March at 12pm.  Drop us a line if you are interested, it will be fun and meaningful. No experience or idea about VR needed at all -   hello@rowntreepark.org.uk
 

Adult Nature Walks

We are running some nature walks in April. To book click here.
Tree Flowers - Catkins & Blossoms: Friday 21st of April 10-11am
Spring Foraging: Friday 28th of April 10-11am
There will also be some more History Walks coming up this year.  
If you are interested in nature and/or history walks but can only make evenings or weekends, do get in contact and if there is enough interest we will add some dates - hello@rowntreepark.org.uk
 
 

Branching Out - free nature writing workshops

An exciting opportunity to be involved in creating new folklore stories about trees and your own experiences/connection with one/them. You can opt into free workshops where you will develop your own Digital Story in relation to a personal experience of urban trees. The workshops are being run by the 'Branching Out' Project - led by Loughborough University. The workshops will take place in two parts. The first session (Sunday 2nd April) consists of sharing stories and creating your own tree story using storyboards. The second session (Sunday 16th April) you will get a chance to record and edit your story digitally. 
The Harriet Centre, York Cemetery.
Opt into one of the following:
2nd April - 1.30 – 4 pm -Click here to register
16th April - 4.30- 7 pm - Click here to register
Any questions please contact saedstorytelling@lboro.ac.uk

We will also be hosting a workshop for families in Rowntree Park  in the May half term linked to this project (Thursday June 1st) - keep an eye out! 
 

General updates

  • Celebrating Seasonal Shifts - Spring Equinox/Ostara event - We had a lovely time celebrating the spring equinox with a range of adults crafts including spring wreath creating, egg candle making, making smoulder sticks and Hapa Zome (nature printing) -a couple of photos below. The next event to celebrate seasonal shifts will be in on Tuesday 2nd of May (a day after 'Beltane'). You can book now.
  • Craft group -  our Thursday craft group have been busy painting rocks for Rowntree Park, and they will also be hosting a cake stall at the easter Trail event on Thursday 6th of April. Pop by and pick up some cake! 
  • Tree Planting - we have had some new trees going into the park planted by the Environment Agency. However, a few of your have noted some are unsupported and on angles and others not quite central. You are right! The council is in chats with the EA about getting this sorted. All the species being planted are native and flood resilient .
  • Wildlife Area - our small group of volunteers meet some weekends and always welcome new people to help with this area. We need to focus on the pond, bog garden, rockery and wildflowers. You can sign up to get involved here.
  • Plant donations - thank you to the kind people donating plants to us! If you have anything you'd like to see if we can take- drop lead volunteer gardener, Stu, an email : gardening@rowntreepark.org.uk
  • Seed swaps - if anyone is interested in a potential 'Seed Swap' or 'Plant swap' sessions - get in touch.  This is something we could host at Rowntree Park and could be a great way to get new things and chat with likeminded individuals. If any one is interested in helping organise such a thing - even better! ( Abigail at hello@rowntreepark.org.uk)
  • Pond life - you may have noticed a range of frog spawn in the ponds and lakes. Just a reminder not to remove this - please look at it and enjoy the changes though. We tend to run some pond dipping sessions, so keep an eye out. Also there are resources in creatin to help you learn more about pond life.
  • Gardening - our gardening volunteers are meeting again regularly. we welcome new volunteers to come along to the Monday, Thursday and Friday morning sessions. register interest here. 
  • Goose update - Our newly formed goose team and working on ways to try and encourage less geese to make the park their home. Less geese means less poo.  A gentle reminder to please not feed the geese. We have opened up the option to volunteer to join the goose volunteers on our volunteer registration form.  If interested in volunteering, register here. 
  • Monthly Neurodiverse Family Forest School  -  These small group outdoor sessions are running monthly and are aimed at families experiencing neurodivergent conditions such as autism, ADHD and anxiety (diagnosed or otherwise).  The April session sold out fast,  but May and June are open for booking.
 
 

Events and Activities in Rowntree Park 

The Friends of Rowntree Park run a range of events and activities for the community. We also welcome outside providers who would like to book events in the park.  You can find out more information on our website under 'Events' and and book here.
What's coming up...

The Very Young Friends of Rowntree Park - Wednesday 5th of April
The monthly meet-up for 1-5 year olds and their parents/carers - 10am-11am. Nature crafts and storytelling at the woodland story circle. Places must be booked in advance - £2 per child for members (parent/carer goes free). 

Easter Eggstravaganza -Thursday 6th of April
Book your places for our popular Easter hunt. The trail is open 10-1pm. There will also be a cake stall for sweet treats! 

Wild Ones - Starts Wednesday 19th of April
A new block of our girls group aimed at ages 10-16 starts on April 19th and runs for 6 weeks. A bit like an 'outdoor nature youth club',  Wild Ones offers a mix of conservation action, bushcraft skills and outdoor activities to promote and build girls confidence, resilience and wellbeing. This is an opportunity for girls to learn new skills and meet new people in a friendly atmosphere. Activities will include a range of things such as lighting fires, using woodworking tools and exploring nature in a safe, natural space. Also a chance to chat and just 'be'. Sessions are 6-7.30pm. 

Spring Nature Walk: Tree Flowers - Friday 21st  of April
Join us for a gentle stroll through the park to spot the blossoms and catkins in bloom. 10-11am.

Nature Time - starts Friday 21st of April
Our new block of our outdoor playgroup for babies and toddlers. These sessions are as much as about the parents as the children - a safe relaxed friendly space to just 'be'!  These sessions are partly grant funded and only £12 for 5 weeks. There are also fully funded spaces available.

Spring Foraging Walk - Friday 28th of April
Join us for a forage in Rowntree Park to ID  plants and flowers that you can use in recipes and herbal remedies. Suited to beginners. 10-11am.

Family Forest School - Saturday 22nd of April
Our monthly Saturday Forest School for Families takes place 10-11.30am - Only £7.50 per child.  

Spring Weaving Workshops - starts Wednesday 26th of April
Over the course of 4 weeks(10-11.30am) you'll learn to make various willow items which may include hanging birdfeeders, a bread tray or a fruit basket.. This mindful craft is a lovely way to relax in the outdoors. Led by willow expert, Heather. 

Season Shift - Beltane - Tuesday 2nd of May
A nature craft and mindful event aimed at adults, focused on welcoming and celebrating the seasons. Nature crafts, chat and a relaxed time! 

Dragonflies - 21st of May
Neurodiverse Family Forest school. The April session is sold out, but booking for May now open! 

Forest School (2-5 year olds) - Friday's
We are operating a waiting list for Friday Forest school places (age 2-5).  If you'd like to be amongst the first to find out when spaces become available, then get in touch with Christine at education@rowntreepark.org.uk 

 
 

Events with outside providers:

Tai Chi
Takes place every Saturday and Wednesday morning in Rowntree Park - in the Friends Picnic Garden 9-10.30am.  For more information contact Richard - siwiaks@hotmail.com 

Move the Masses - wellbeing walks
The second Tuesday of each month 1.30-2.30pm, you can join MTM for a free wellbeing walk around Rowntree Park. This is aimed at older or less physically able people who want to get some fresh air and get moving, all with some good, friendly company. Meet under the cafe. For more info contact: libby@movethemasses.org.uk

Music with Cath Smithson
These popular music sessions for children are taking place on Thursday mornings in Rowntree Park. For more info contact: cathsmithson@live.com

Would you like to run events in the park? You may want to hire the space and run an event/activity, OR may be you want to run an event in conjunction with the FRP.  More info contact Abigail to find out more - hello@rowntreepark.org.uk
 

Key information regarding Rowntree Park.

The council manage Rowntree Park. That means they have overall responsibility.  Things like health and safety, toilets, opening/closing etc are down to them. The Friends of Rowntree Park do fund and maintain some areas of Rowntree Park, run a volunteering programme and a range of community events and projects, as well as overseeing bookings for the park. We are the link between the community and the council.  

Please note that the Tennis Club, and York Explore Café and Library are separate from the Friends and they operate their own areas and generate their own income. Please contact them directly if there are any questions about what they do.

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