We boast many beautiful and award winning parks and open spaces in Bedford Borough.
Amongst the most popular is the riverside promenade running through the town centre, made up of the Embankment Gardens, Russell Park and Mill Meadows.
Bedford Park is a Victorian gem situated at the end of the imposing De Parys Avenue.
In addition to our urban parks, we have woodlands, meadows, wetlands, grasslands and heritage sites providing fantastic locations for walking, learning and discovery in the great outdoors.
Throughout the year our teams maintain the trees, grass, and flowers in our green spaces to a high standard and create stunning floral displays.
There is something for everyone at our parks and green spaces, from outdoor sports to great food - and many seasonal events throughout the year to enjoy.
Play areas
We inspect and maintain over 120 play areas with facilities for toddlers, juniors and teens. Some include multi-use sports facilities, skate parks and outdoor gyms which are free to use.
If you notice a problem in a Council park play area, then please let us know.
Report a play area problem
Book an event in a park
Apply to hold an event in one of our parks or open spaces.
Give us feedback
We would love to hear from you, give us a compliment or let us know of any concerns you may have about parks.
If you see damage to any Council park facility / park furniture, please report it here.
Report damaged Council park facilities / park furniture
Book a sports pitch
Many of our parks offer a range of bookable sports facilities including, football, tennis, cricket, rugby, rounders and bowls. We also have fishing permits available at our country park sites.
For more information and to book a court or pitch visit the Outdoors sports pitches, courts and bowling greens page.
Volunteering in parks
If you would like to get involved as a volunteer in your local park or green space visit our Community volunteering page to register.
Sponsor a new tree in a park
We have recently launched a new scheme that let’s residents and local businesses sponsor a new tree in one of our parks (you choose which one). We call these trees Celebration Trees.
You may want to sponsor a tree as a gift, to celebrate the life of a loved one lost, to mark a new birth or a special anniversary. You may just want to have a new tree planted because it’s just a lovely thing to do.
For details of our scheme please visit Trees for Streets
Healthy parks
Being active in the fresh air is good for your health. Our parks provide a whole range of activities for keeping fit and enjoying the outdoors.
There are miles of walks through Bedford Borough, as well as nature reserves and open greenspace.
Let’s Go Bedfordshire provides information on places to walk, picnic and enjoy.
Walking for Health gives you more information on ways in which walking can improve your health.
Join a guided walk and learn about the history of Bedford while keeping active.
Approved fitness and sessional activity instructors provides information on fitness instructors, businesses and sessional activities approved to operate on Council parkland.
Drones, radio controlled vehicles and model aircraft
The use of all unauthorised drones, radio controlled vehicles or model aircraft within our parks and green spaces is prohibited. Please read our Drones and Model Aircraft Policy (PDF) for more information.
