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.

Find out how to find us.

If you're a parent or guardian of younger children, then do come along to our next session of arty, creative, nature-focused activities on Saturday 10 October between 10.30 and 12.30. Held monthly through the summer and autumn Nature Kids is a drop-in event, completely free of charge. Come along, and tell your friends too! Details are on the Events page.

For future dates, can you help us either organise an individual event, or lead an activity? Crafting, nature trails and quizzes have been popular options. New ideas are always welcome.

The zipwire in the play area failed a safety inspection at the end of August due to worn and damaged parts in the traveller mechanism. The seat was removed temporarily to prevent further use. SCC have ordered replacement parts, which are still awaiting delivery and fitting. We'll let you know once we have more news.

The play area is a fenced-off family area, and often there are very young children absorbed in what should be safe play. Please - no dogs, football games (there are spaces nearby for both of these) and particularly e-scooters here for everyone's sake.

The Green Flag Award scheme "recognises and rewards well managed parks and green spaces, setting the benchmark standard for the management of recreational outdoor spaces across the United Kingdom and around the world". The strategy for this is set out in SCC's five year management plan, with input from FoPR. It certainly keeps us on our toes at times! A lovely sunny evening at the start of October saw the hoisting of our 2026-27 flag.

Our thanks to all concerned over the past year, and to Richard Kelly of the SCS Parks team for hoisting duties.

The gardens at the Rec have been designed with biodiversity front and centre, including habitats to encourage pollinators such as bees and butterflies. Over the hot summer, the Friends had been watering to "survive rather than thrive", but paying particular attention to younger or more vulnerable plants and trees, and those providing valuable nutrients to pollinators. We carried this out early in the morning, or in the relative cool of the evening, when it's most effective. While sadly there have been some losses, this commitment has enabled the colourful displays that we can enjoy today. Even though the weather is cooler now, there's been relatively little rain. We still need to make sure that our plants and shrubs are well hydrated.

The Gardening Group gather on alternate Saturdays and Sundays. We've been pleased to welcome a significant number of new members this season. The average age has definitely dropped a few decades! Do give us a shout if you'd like to find out more.Upcoming dates are on the Gardening page.

Staying with bees, do check out the latest Nature Notes from Denise Long, and find out the simple steps you can take to help our valuable pollinators during these challenging dry months. The RSPB also offers some excellent advice on feeding garden birds.

You may have seen our regular litter-pickers out and about with hoops and pickers all through the year. Freida and Frank Stack were recently recognised by Southampton Voluntary Services as "Volunteers of the Month". Here they're showing off their new certificates!

Portswood Rec has often been credited as the tidiest park in Southampton, much of which is due to Freida and Frank's commitment and diligence. Thank you again from all of us.

While there's still some light in the evenings, why not take a walk round the area, and look out for some of the plants, trees and insects featured in our Nature Notes? With Denise Long's carefully researched words and pictures, they're a real treasure trove. Just published are some wonderful photos of contrasting butterfly species, plus top tips for how we can help future generations thrive in a changing climate.

A grant from West Solent Solar has enabled purchase of extra equipment including a new hosereel, plus a bowser to help us take water to the further corners of the Rec in our much drier summers. New, purpose-made containers are making composting and mulching more efficient. In the photo, one of our members has a barrowful of the brown stuff, ready for spreading around planted areas to help retain moisture as well as some extra nutrition.

Anyone for tennis? Popular with players of all ages and abilities, the two hard courts are open 24/7 and are free of charge! No booking required, though please be aware that other players may be waiting to use the courts. For reference, here are SCC's Tennis Court Guidelines.

The very great majority of human and canine visitors to the Rec come for enjoyment and relaxation. The dedicated dog-walking area is popular with four-legged friends and their owners. Meanwhile families with small children appreciate the dog-free zones - something that's not available in most other green spaces across the City.

However, if you are aware of any instances of damaged equipment, anti-social behaviour or fly-tipping, we have contact details for the relevant authorities here. We're aware that a few late-night visitors may be leaving debris which has no place on the Rec. Please take extra care and check long grass and undergrowth before your children play there. Thank you for your support.

The Rec is a hidden gem, as you can see from our video (link below) - "Portswood Rec - a Place for Everyone". Shot over different times of year, it highlights how much enjoyment this green space can bring to both adults and children across our wide-ranging community. Agendas and Minutes of our meetings are available on the documents (meetings) page. To find out about becoming a Friend, please follow this link.

We're also on social media:

Friends of Portswood Rec, Southampton, UK