The Friends of University Park Group was formed in 2004 to encourage the local community to visit University Park and to enjoy its vast gardens and grounds. Each year we organise a series of events, garden walks, special open days and talks to help visitors enjoy the park.
We didn't know the park was open to the public [and] we didn't know that there was anything to see!
In fact, members of the public are welcome to visit University Park, to walk through the grounds and enjoy the gardens and trees. We leave you to decide if it's worth it! Refreshments are available in a number of areas such as the Lakeside Arts Centre and the Portland Building.
A free detailed University Park Gardens Guide and Tree Walk 
is available from any of the gatehouses or from Lakeside Arts Centre.
In 2003 we won our first Green Flag Award. This is a national award given by the Civic Trust to parks that achieve certain standards of excellence. We have now won ten Green Flags.
Membership of the group is free, although there may be a charge for some events that require pre-booked tickets. If you join our mailing list we will send you two newsletters each year plus information on our
Programme of Events . You can also get involved in projects such as the restoration of the Lenton Firs Rock Garden, which was completed by the Friends Group and staff.
For further information on this group please contact
Desmond O'Grady, Grounds Manager, Estate Office on 0115 951 3649. You can also write to Desmond at the address at the bottom of this page.