From the coastal paths of Cornwall to the hills of the Scottish Highlands, hundreds of dog owners and their four-legged friends made their walks count in May by taking part in Bark For Our Parks.
By walking 100km (or 50km for those with little legs) throughout the month whilst raising money for Fields in Trust, we were delighted to see so many of you join in the fight for the future of our parks and green spaces.
447 humans and over 2,000 paws covered an impressive 33,000km, either in beloved local parks or while discovering new green spaces, reinforcing our shared appreciation for these vital places.
A big thank you to everyone who took part in Bark For Our Parks and helped raise money to ensure that our parks and green spaces remain protected for generations to come. We simply couldn’t do our important work without su-paw humans and dogs like you.
As we wrap up this paw-some journey, we want to highlight some amazing stories from our participants who went above and beyond in this challenge…
Nick, Emma, and Laura, along with their three adorable dogs, Bramble, Mylo, and Nettle make up team Perigon, the sustainability pros who are passionate about green spaces and are big supporters of Fields in Trust.
Living in the beautiful Scottish countryside, they love exploring parks like Vogrie Country Park, which has been legally protected with Fields in Trust.
Combining their love for the outdoors with a bit of friendly competition, Nick, Emma and Laura took on Bark For Our Parks by each committing to walk 100 km. Their challenge not only raised vital funds, but also highlighted the importance of integrating green spaces into our daily lives for better mental and physical health.
As professionals in the sustainability industry, we recognise the multitude of benefits (environmental, health, cultural) UK parks bring. Not to mention the critical role they play in the lives of many of our furry friends!Laura McNeil, Consultant, Pergion
We all find exercise vital to our productivity and maintaining energy-levels throughout the day. Knowing just how much it means to our animals to have walkies in green spaces makes it that much more rewarding.
Aga, the founder of the dog walking service Fast and Furry, is out and about in parks every day. She decided to take on the challenge as having access to parks and green spaces is not only vital for her profession but for her wellbeing on a personal level too. She and her four-legged clients raised over £250 in support for Fields in Trust.
I decided to support Fields in Trust as I am absolutely amazed at the great work they are doing; their passion for not only nature but also the people and the importance of public green spaces that impacts us all."Aga
Emily and her partner Harry rescued Loki, a gentle and sweet Czechoslovakian Wolfdog x Northern Inuit, who absolutely loves his park outings. West Park in Westoe has become their favourite spot, offering a safe place for Loki to run, learn tricks and make four-legged friends. But the reality is that West Park is not legally protected – and could be at risk of being lost to development at any time.
For Emily, the challenge was a way to reconnect with nature and improve her wellbeing, whilst raising over £100 for Fields in Trust.
I started this challenge to motivate myself to get out more, see new places, to be healthier and to just enjoy nature like I used to.Emily
I'm from Sweden, I grew up with nature all around, and feel everyone should have the right to green spaces within walking distance! It's so important for our mental and physical wellbeing.
Jade, who took on the challenge with super-cute Tillie and Rebel, shared a deeply heartwarming story of Tillie’s surgery and recovery, which showcased the importance of having safe, open spaces for dogs to play and recover.
As a professional dog walker, Jade recognises the vital role that parks play in nurturing happy, well-socialised pets. Her commitment to the challenge stems from wanting every human and furry friend to enjoy the freedom and joy of open spaces.
I decided to sign up to Bark For Our Parks to spread awareness about parks. As a professional dog walker, I use dog parks almost daily so [for] these go off the map, breaks my heart.Jade
We also wanted to say a tail-wagging thank you to our wonderful paw-tners Life of Riley Pet Bakery & Boutique and Simply Ice Cream for providing treats, rewards and discounts to participants – human and canine alike.
Finally, a big thank you to our participants and celebrity ambassadors for supporting and taking part. You’ve made a huge difference in the fight for more parks to be legally protected and there for our walkies forever.
Didn't manage to take part this time? We’ve got plenty of challenge events you can get involved in – whether you’d like to run, walk, or jump out of an airplane!
Get fit, challenge yourself, and feel pride in the knowledge you’ve helped protect parks and green spaces with every step.