Friends of Stanhope Park

08/10/2026

This is happening in South Park tomorrow morning, if anyone can make it.

Tees Valley Combined Authority is consulting on proposals for the Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS) to be implemented across the region.

LNRSs were established by the Environment Act 2021 to drive nature recovery.

They enable better investment decision making at a local level, to deliver cleaner air, cleaner water, reduced flood risk, improved soils, healthier places and bigger, better access to nature for people.

A consultation event is taking place at the Education Centre at South Park on Thursday (8 October), from 10am to 11.30am.

14/09/2026

Next Wednesday evening (7pm) is our coordinating meeting (there aren't really enough of us to call it a committee, and that sounds boring!). If you want to get involved in the planning of future events to improve the park, please do come along to the Dolphin Centre where we'll find a spot amongst the refurbishment works. (Failing that, we've relocated to the cafe at 16 Horsemarket previously.)

Photo of a butterfly on the verbena bonariensis in the park for attention!

08/09/2026

A VERY successful action afternoon was had on Sunday, planting up the new flower border on the western boundary of the tennis courts ultra-quickly as the soil was nice and soft after some rain.

There were excess plants, so we infilled some bare patches in the other borders too! And weeded the other beds, and litter-picked.

Here are just a few photos - more to add...

22/08/2026

We are organising another August bank holiday picnic.

Bank Holiday Monday, 31st August, from 12 midday. Come along, and meet the friends group who are working so hard to look after our beautiful local park. Sit and chat, and enjoy our park! Bring a picnic / snacks.

03/08/2026

Six of us had a very effective action day in Stanhope Park yesterday afternoon. We weeded the flower beds, deadheaded flowers, removed thistles, scrubbed down the notice board, picked litter and cleaned the areas around and under four of the benches! Thanks to those who came along!

If you'd be interested in joining our action days but always miss it, please put it in your diary/calendar now. It'll be the first Sunday in September i.e. Sunday 6th September, 2-4pm, when we'll be planting up the newly dug border along the west side of the Tennis court. (It's always the first Sunday of every month, at the same time.) See you next then?

If you want to get on our mailing list, contact [email protected].

10/07/2026

We're not far from Darlington town centre, so thought we'd make people aware of this council survey about it, in case you want to give your views. Pass it on!

What do you think of Darlington town centre?

As part of the refresh of the council’s town centre strategy, we are keen to hear your views.

This is your chance to have your say on your town centre.

We want to know what’s important to you and what isn’t; as well as understanding how you would like to use your town centre, be it for work, leisure, education, or socialising.

This is a unique and rare opportunity to get involved and shape how your town centre will look, feel, and be used for many years to come.

Please visit https://www.darlington.gov.uk/consultations/town-centre-strategy to find out more and complete our survey.

Thank you for taking part.

02/07/2026

If anyone is passing the new bed along the border of the tennis court, and could put some water on it, that would be very welcome! We know that there has been some rain overnight over the last few days, but a couple of the new plants look like they're struggling. So if anyone passes regularly and could add some water that could help them hang in there until they are established.

And this is also a reminder that there will be a Stanhope Park Action Day / work afternoon from 2 - 4 pm this coming Sunday 5th July - we hope to see some of you there! We expect to dig more beds along the sides of the tennis courts to prepare for future planting.

13/06/2026

Thank you to everyone who took part in our June Action Day.
We go so much done.
💐 Planted more perennials
🌿 Weeded the borders and beds
🪏 Dug out thistles
🎾 Tidied and edged the tennis court border.
Join us next time, on 5 July, between 2 - 4pm.

03/05/2026

We have cancelled the action day today (Sunday 3rd May) as it is too wet.