THERE’S a green theme for a free family event in Abbey Park this half-term that will give local people the chance to discover more about Leicester’s trees, parks and open spaces.
The Go Green, Get Growing! event on Friday 30 May will feature tree climbing demonstrations by the city council’s arborists, a guess-the-circumference-of-the-tree competition, a display of the winning entries in a tree-themed school art challenge, and a treasure hunt for young children.
Storytellers from the city’s BookBus will entertain youngsters with environmental tales, told from an ornate throne that’s been carved from a tree trunk (pictured), while visitors of all ages can follow the tree trail in Abbey Park and track down all 21 featured species.
Visitors will also be able to find out how an allotment or a community growing hub could help them to grow their own food – and discover how Leicester’s ‘bee roads’ are protecting natural grassland habitats and supporting biodiversity.
And to mark the publication of the city’s new tree strategy, those attending the event will receive free packets of seeds to plant at home, with a free potted sapling for the first 50 visitors.
Assistant city mayor responsible for parks, trees & woodlands Cllr Vi Dempster said: “This event is a great opportunity for us to show young people and their families some of the work that we do to care for the city’s trees, manage our open spaces and enhance the local environment.
“There’ll be lots of green-themed activities, as well as stories from the BookBus, so I hope that people will drop by and join in the fun if they’re visiting Abbey Park this half-term.”
Go Green, Get Growing! runs from 12 noon until 3pm on Friday 30 May in Abbey Park. The precise location can be found using pounds.filled.shade in the what3words app.
Picture caption: A close-up of the tree-trunk throne in Abbey Park, carved by the city council’s trees and woodlands team