We want to work with our community through workshops and online engagement to gather stories, pictures and information about the park to co-design a trail of accessible, fun, informative and inspiring boards on the following themes: > Self - to use the park to improve mental and physical health (e.g. a beginners 'mindfulness in parks' activity as well as information about the Active Trail and the range of health and fitness features in the park, inc tennis courts, outside gym, circuit trail and community gardening > Community - describing the rich history of the park as a community space, pictures and stories from the park from opening in the late 1800s through to more recent history as well as information about current community activities (regular bird walks, tree walks, litter picks and gardening opportunities) > Environment - ecology, flora and fauna within the park as well as our impact on the global environment

What we'll deliver:

• A collection of 6 information and inspiration boards around the park
• Volunteer activity: conduct visitor survey, talk to visitors about volunteering and to assess the impact of boards
• Face to face and online co-design of boards: memory, photo and info gathering and input into design

Why it's a great idea:

Worthing's first municipal park (originally 'the People's Park') has always been a space to connect to the community, exercise and experience nature - things which we know impact on our health and wellbeing. 50% of the people we spoke to use it weekly or more. As a group of volunteers we have achieved a lot on a small budget - we would like to use these funds to reach out to the full park community. The communities who use the park include children and families (playground, school commute), teenagers and young adults (skate park, shelter, basketball court) tennis players, football players, runners, gardeners- dog walkers as well as the hospital, nurseries, schools and residential homes around the park. There is a large Filipino community who use the park who hold events in the park. This park-wide conversation and boards will increase connection to the park, use of the space for exercise, mindfulness and increase volunteer and community attendance at events .

Steps to get it done:

• 2 x community workshops conducted
• 1 x online engagement conducted
• Photos, media and information collated for boards
• RHS Wisley consultant support provided to ensure info is accessible and enjoyable
• Graphic designer designer layout of boards
• Printing of graphics and specialist make-up of signs
• Community day to fit signs with Subway EPOS, volunteers and Parks team from A&WC
• Visitor survey conducted and data collated

This is step one in a series of planned projects which begins to establish the community voice in the park, ensuring people feel the park is theirs, recognising the value that the space provides and nudging people to take a step further in prioritising their own health and wellbeing (at no cost) throughout the park. Also encouraging people to increase their sense of neighbourhood, attachment to the park and it's history and becoming involved with the friends-of group to support in running events, litter picks, bird and tree walks and picnics. We are also working with A&W Council to apply for Green Flag Status which will allow us to reach more people and further improve the park - as well as secure Homefield Parks place as a crucial town centre space for exercise, reflection and community connection. This funding and the resultant project would help us to achieve this. Future projects we're working towards include: a signposted 'Sea to Downs' route, an 'all ages' playground and more!