For many residents in Basildon, local parks and green spaces have always been there, but in recent years, something has changed. Parks that were once overlooked or avoided are now busy with families, children, walkers, cyclists and runners, because we want to spend more time outdoors, taking part in activities and helping to shape the places around us.
Over many years of listening to residents, responding to what communities wanted and creating opportunities for people to reconnect with people on their doorstep, a movement has changed both spaces and lives across Basildon.
It starts with you
From the beginning, Active Essex and its partners wanted to focus on working WITH communities, not do things TO them. They’ve listened to local aspirations, identified community assets and created opportunities for local people to influence change.
One organisation that has played a vital role in this work was Achieve Thrive Flourish (ATF). Through community conversations, discover days, local volunteering opportunities and a regular presence in neighbourhoods, ATF have helped residents build confidence and play a role in shaping the future of their local spaces. And nowhere tells this story more powerfully than Northlands Park in Pitsea.
Reclaiming Northlands Park
Despite being one of Basildon’s greatest physical assets, the park had developed a reputation for its anti-social behaviour and crime, meaning families no longer viewed it as somewhere to spend time.
Working alongside local schools, families and community groups, ATF began creating opportunities for people to come together in the park and gradually residents began to feel a renewed sense of ownership over the park and its future. More than 70 local people became involved through volunteering or employment opportunities linked to ATFs work, creating a network of local champions and community leaders.
Perhaps the clearest sign of this change came in July this year, when Northlands Park received its first ever Green Flag award, becoming the first park in Basildon to achieve the internationally recognised quality standard for parks and green spaces. The award recognised not only improvements to the park itself, but the strength of community involvement behind its success.
Movement is the spark
Across Basildon, residents have been able to take part in activities including ParkPlay, parkrun, Essex Pedal Power led rides, mindfulness walks, youth activities through Flex Youth and Beat the Street challenges.
For many residents, these activities have provided a reason to step into a park for the first time, meet new people, spend time with family and be proud of the place they live.
Basildon’s parks and their green space journey are a reminder that lasting change happens when local people are given the opportunity to lead it. Through the Essex Local Delivery Pilot and now Sport England’s Place Partnership programme, residents have shown what is possible when communities come together to reimagine the spaces around them.
The result is not just about having ‘better’ parks, it’s having more connected communities and a legacy that will continue to shape Basildon for years to come.
