Performing Parks

Replicating Community Stewardship Social Enterprise in Thurrock's Parks

What’s the idea?

Friends of Hardie Park in Stanford-le-Hope, Essex are are a group of empowered local residents who formed a legally constituted organisation to lead on the management of their local park in partnership with the local authority. They generate income through Social Enterprise activity that brings multiple community benefits.

By seeing the opportunity that this could bring to other parts of the borough this led to the creation of the Performing Parks project, which seeks to support 5 other communities in Thurrock to explore the model and improve a local park or parks.

Which parks, in what communities?

The Lightship Cafe CIC

Grays Beach Riverside Park, Grays

In 2017, a Community Interest Company called “The Lightship Café” was formed with local people as Directors and the café was reopened along a similar model to Hardie Park.

The group have raised funds for park improvements and given the Council more confidence to reinvest.

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Friends of Gobions Park

Gobions Park, East Tilbury

Friends of Gobions Park was started by some concerned residents in 2016, they have successfully fundraised for some new equipment and engaged a large national business who operate locally, who undertook a renovation of one of the play areas at their own cost.

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633 Daisy Squad CIC

Daisy Field, Tilbury

A brick-built sports changing facility has just been removed from the park – this sparked local interest in the park as it was feared that the work being undertaken was to make way for housing development. Thurrock Council have confirmed that this is not the case and are keen for the park to remain.

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Friends of Aveley & Kenningtons Parks

Aveley & Kenningtons

Not without its vandalism and anti-social problems, Aveley Rec is a large playing field that is soon to benefit from its proximity to a newly built community centre/hub facility

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Friends of Hardie Park

Hardie Park, Stanford-le-Hope

Hardie Park has been transformed by the local community and is the example of good practise for this project. The community cafe and hub is open 7 days a week.