Wardown Park volunteer gardeners
Weekly volunteering morning tending the decorative flower borders and arboretum in historic Wardown Park.
Summary
This weekly volunteer morning runs each Thursday in one of Luton's most popular parks. Volunteer to help look after the decorative borders and the trees in the arboretum outside the museum.
The activities include horticultural tasks like:
weeding
dead-heading
pruning
propagating
topping up flowerbeds with compost
Wardown Park around Wardown House, Museum & Gallery, Old Bedford Rd, Luton, LU2 7HA
Getting here
Address
Wardown House, Museum & Gallery, Old Bedford Rd, Luton, LU2 7HA. We meet outside the main entrance to the museum.
Walking
Most people walk to the site. Surrounding wards include Barnfield, Biscot, Bury Park, Bramingham, Central, High Town, Round Green and Saints.
Public transport
The nearest bus stops are on New Bedford Road (bus routes 24, 25, 26) and Old Bedford Road (bus routes 3A, 79, 755, CN3 and MK1).
Parking
There are 2 free car parks just outside Wardown House. They're accessed from Old Bedford Road (opposite number 192) and New Bedford Road (opposite Bath Road).
Tidying up the herbaceous borders
Video showing Luton Council conservation volunteers and Wardown Park gardeners at work
The long bed in bloom
Opening times
Thursdays from 10 am to midday.
Costs
Activities are free.
That includes:
all tools and basic training on how to use them
personal protective equipment including gloves and eye protection
Who can join activities here?
Anyone over the age of 18 can become a Luton Council Wardown Park garden volunteer.
People come from many different communities in Luton, and are a mix of men and women.
Usually around 5 to 10 people volunteer over the course of the day.
When you sign up, we ask you to declare unspent convictions. If there are any, we will ask for references and decide on a case-by-case basis.
Facilities
A cafe and toilet facilities are nearby in Wardown House and Museum
Accessibility
The site is mainly on level ground and near paved pathways
an accessible toilet is nearby in Wardown House and Museum
How to sign up
Volunteers must be aged 18 or over and sign up before you attendingr.
Apply online using the online application form.
Alternatively, email parksvolunteers@luton.gov.uk.
Once you're signed up, we'll add you to our volunteer email list and keep you informed of upcoming activities.
About the staff
The activity is led by one member of Luton Council Parks and Countryside Service staff who are a trained First Aider, DBS-checked and trained in safeguarding.
Good to know
This activity is at an easy-to-reach central Luton location
A cafe and toilets are nearby, so this is a very convenient location to volunteer at.
A visit to the vegetable bed by the propagation house
“Even on a day like today we've had rain, we've had sun, we've had snow, we've seen the spring flowers out and had the benefit of good company.”
More about Luton Council's Parks and Countryside Service
Luton Council's Parks and Countryside Service looks after Luton's public parks and natural spaces. It offers volunteering opportunities to help make our parks and green spaces more accessible, enjoyable and biodiverse.
Participants can gain new skills and experiences with the the Conservation Volunteers and the Wardown Park volunteer gardeners.
Partner role: provider of nature-based activities
Still have a question about this activity?
For general questions about this activity, contact the Luton Health and Nature Partnership.
Alternatively, contact the Luton Council conservation volunteers directly: parksvolunteers@luton.gov.uk.