Mansfield District Council has had its first formal meeting to discuss the future of Berry Hill Park with representatives from the Friends of Berry Hill Park.
Executive Mayor of Mansfield Andy Abrahams, Cllr Andy Burgin, the Portfolio Holder for the Environment, and council officers met with David Fisher and Claire Tennant, of Friends of Berry Hill Park, at the Civic Centre on 20 August to kick off discussions about how they would forge closer links and work together in the future.
The council agreed in July to move forward to become corporate trustees of the park after it was threatened with closure last year. That process is expected to be concluded in the autumn.
The Mayor said: "It was an amicable and productive meeting with the Friends and paves the way for us to work in partnership.
"We are very much singing from the same song sheet in wanting to ensure that this beautiful and valued park stays open and its benefit to the community is strengthened and maximised.
"We really want more people in this district to get out and enjoy the fantastic array of parks and open spaces this district has as part of the council's wider agenda to improve the health and wellbeing of residents."
David Fisher, Chairperson of the Friends of Berry Hill Park Management Committee, said: "We believe that working closely with the council with a structured, organised approach and the pooling of ideas can only help us in our mission to protect this much loved natural space and maximise the potential of it for everyone.
"We would like to encourage more people to sign up as members of the Friends association and add their name to the growing lists of volunteers. This will ensure that members and other interested people are kept up to date with progress on the park transfer, and any requests for volunteers to get involved with projects on the park."
The council is helping the group to adopt a similar kind of working relationship that has been used at its other parks and open spaces by other Friends groups.
It is expected that the council and Friends of Berry Hill Park will work together on future community schemes in the autumn such as general tidying, bulb planting, tree planting, painting, community litter picks and ideally working with local schools.
Anyone wishing to support the Friends, either by becoming a member or volunteer can email fobhpark@gmail.com or leave their contact details at the café at the park. They can also find out more at the Association's Facebook page or website, https://friendsofberryhillpark.wordpress.com