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.

Here comes the sun! Hot weather is here and the grass is getting drier day by day. Enjoy your picnics in the shade, but do please avoid single-use BBQs which inevitably leave a burn mark on the grass, and could also cause a very unwelcome fire.

If you're a parent or guardian of younger children, then do come along to our next session of arty, creative, nature-focused activities. Held through the summer on the first Saturday of each month between 10.30 and 12.30, Nature Kids is a drop-in event, completely free of charge. You can see from the photos what fun everyone had at the most recent session - this time not rained off! The next session will be on 1st August.

Whatever the weather, there's some shelter under the new gazebo too! Children should be accompanied by a responsible adult. More details 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 of course always be welcome.

With long evenings and warm weekends, 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. Hot off the press is the mindfully-titled BEE-ing at the Rec.

Our gardens have been designed with biodiversity front and centre, including habitats to encourage pollinators such as bees and butterflies. We are 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 carry this out early in the morning, or in the relative cool of the evening, when it's most effective. You may have noticed the watering bags which the Council's Parks team have attached to certain trees.

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.

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. There's more about a visit to the compost-meisters at Aldermoor Farm, plus next season's dates, on the Gardening page.

Do you have access to a garden yourself, or a patio planter? If so, you'll find some fascinating, practical info from the RHS, on the plants that butterflies, bees and hoverflies absolutely love.

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 offers some excellent advice on feeding garden birds, especially important in at this time of year while they're raising their chicks.

Anyone for tennis? (No jokes about Arthur Fery.) 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.

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