How did you spend Earth Day 2023? Four goodgymers spent the morning helping out Urban Green in Paddy Freeman's Park. If you haven't heard of it Earth Day is celebrated each year on the 22nd of April and is to demonstrate support for environmental protection.

We regularly help out Urban Green with a variety of tasks across the cities parks. Our task this time was edging the sides of the path around the play area to stop them becoming overgrown and putting back any rouge wood chip which had escaped the play area, making the paths look tidier.

This was a fitting task for Earth Day as Urban Green aim to help fight climate change by managing their parks in way which supports nature and reduces pollution. Park ranger Mike explained that in the past (pre Urban Green) the area we were working on would have been kept tidy using strong weed killers which can be detrimental to wildlife. Digging the weeds and over grown grass out of the path edges is harder work and takes more time but doesn't pollute the environment. We found many worms and some moth larvae which might have been harmed by harsh chemicals in weed killers or then ingested by birds which could feel the effects of chemicals increasing through the food chain.

We had a tea break half way through which give us the extra energy to finsh off the second side of the playarea. Me and Tom also had a play on a musical square in the playarea which rings different size bells when you step on each section allowing you to play a tune. Who says you can't have fun while helping the parks. Luckily we managed to finish in time as we all agreed we hate to leave a job unfinished. The task was very satisfying to see the difference we have made.

If you are inspired by Earth Day to volunteer in the Newcastle parks there are a number of goodgym sessions coming up soon. There is one more tomorrow with Urban Green in Hodgkin Park. You could also join us to support the Bike Gardern next Saturday in Nunsmoor Park. Then there are two more Urban Green sessions in three weeks time, the first one at Kenton park on Saturday 13th of May and the second at Hodgkin Park on Sunday the 14th of May. Find upcoming sessions here.