The Friends of Portswood Rec (FoPR) is a group of local people who enjoy visiting this green space. Working with both Southampton City Council (SCC) and other groups, we're aiming to improve facilities and increase biodiversity in the Rec, so that it's truly a place for everyone. We're doing this, as volunteers, through initiatives such as the weekly gardening group, and ongoing fundraising for new facilities.

The Rec is a hidden gem, as you can see from our video - "Portswood Rec - a Place for Everyone". Shot over different times of year, it showcases how much enjoyment this green space can bring to both adults and children across our wide-ranging community. Find out how to find us.

If you'd visited the Rec in the morning of Friday 9th May, you may just have spotted the range of brand new play equipment undrgoing a final check by the Council's specialist team. In the photo, you can spot the higher end of the zip wire to the left, the main multi-unit at the far end in the centre, the tipi carousel in the foreground, and the cliff rider to the right. Hidden further back are the new swings, with seats for different ages and abilities. Areas under the new equipment have been resurfaced.

If you'd visited in the afternoon, you'd barely be able to see the equipment, as it was literally swarmed over by children from Portswood and Highfield schools! And the noise level at times was louder than a pub at Cup Final time. (If we'd booked a brass band - which we didn't - it would have been drowned out....)

A few minutes earlier, the Lord Mayor, Dave Shields, had cut the red ribbon (seen here in mid-snip) and declared the play park open, cheered on by Satvir Kaur MP, local councillors, SCC staff and many other guests from the community.

It was really gratifying to see so often how older children were helping younger ones navigate unfamiliar equipment. Collaboration and risk-taking are two of the big features of modern play areas. We can all be proud of this investment, and how it's making a difference from day one.

Equipment suppliers Kompan provided kids' drinks and ice pops, while the Friends of Portswood Rec gave out coffee and cake.

Good news by the way for fans of the roundabout - it's working again! Because its platform is level with the surrounding area, it's easy for a wheelchair user to get onboard and enjoy the fun.

The final design incorporates the most requested play features from the survey the Friends group undertook in 2023 when the old equipment was removed.

It's truly been a joint effort, and we must thank everyone who has helped to make this possible, either through donating money or in so many other ways. For more information, follow this link.

On the other side of the Rec, why the upright posts by the compost bins? Well, they form the foundation for a "dead hedge", to be completed as part of our Urban Wild celebration. Urban Wild is a city-wide, week-long festival celebrating "all things green, blue and wild in Southampton". As part of this, we'll be hosting a morning of family events at the Rec on Tuesday 27 May, as well as a table on the final day on the Common on Sunday 1 June. More details on our News and Events page, or click here for the poster.

This year the Gardening Group are meeting on alternating Saturdays (1st, 3rd and 5th weekends) and Sundays (2nd & 4th weekends), 10.30-12.30, subject to confirmation, and weather permitting.

Thanks to previous years' carefully planning and preparation, the gardens looked magnificent over winter. As well as visual enjoyment, we continue to commit to providing an attractive haven for pollinators, and birds and other wildlife more generally. If you genuinely enjoy the outdoors and would like to help develop and maintain one of Southampton's great variety of parks and open spaces, do get in touch.

Welcome meanwhile to Tony Ridley, who was elected to the Committee at the AGM in March. A familiar face in the gardening group, Tony will be organising kids' events later this year. Some of the money raised from this year's Quiz will allow us to put on these sessions free of charge.

Question: what is the world's most popular board game? Answer: chess! A classic strategy game, it's estimated that up to 6 million people of all ages in the UK alone have played chess. Now the sun has finally appeared, bring your own pieces and make use of our outdoor chess table, by the tennis courts. With seats on 3 sides, the fourth is open allowing easy wheelchair access. You can buy an inexpensive set of chess pieces at Argos in Portswood, and find hints and tips online.

"There is danger on the board!" Chess is also back on the telly with the new BBC2 series Chess Masters: the Endgame, hosted by Sue Perkins.

We're delighted that Portswood Rec has retained the prestigious Green Flag award for another two years, thanks to the combined work of the Friends and SCC. We're also proud to be part of the city-wide initiative of developing and promoting more welcoming green spaces.

To find out about becoming a Friend, please follow this link. And if you're hungry for more about pollinators, check out this recent BBC Radio 4 programme.

Our video gives an overview of Portswood Rec and our group:

We're also on social media:

Friends of Portswood Rec, Southampton, UK