A record-breaking Herts Summer Parks 2026!

Herts Sport & Physical Activity Partnership (HSP) continued to coordinate the Herts Summer Parks programme, building on its aim to strengthen the HAPpy: Holiday Activity Programme offer for teenagers across Hertfordshire. Since its launch in 2023, the programme has grown year on year, providing young people aged 12–16 with opportunities to enjoy their local green spaces, try new activities and access free food vouchers.

 

Delivered across five parks throughout August, the programme offered a wide range of sports, wellbeing, arts and crafts and enrichment activities.

 

This year saw the biggest Herts Summer Parks programme yet, with record-breaking numbers of young people attending. A huge thank you to our crucial partners who helped make this possible, with funding provided from Hertfordshire County Council and Local Authority partners, with delivery led by Sporting Inspirations CIC, who continued to drive the programme forward year after year.

 

Below are some of the highlights and achievements from this year's programme:

 

• 1,279 young people registered to take part
• 1,011 unique individuals attended across the programme
• 1,520 attendances over three weeks
• 1,347 food vouchers redeemed at participating venues
• 17 service and delivery providers supported the programme across the five locations
• 31% of attendees were eligible for Free School Meals (FSM)
• 197 young people attended in a single day in Welwyn Garden City
• 473 young people had their say on the Summer Parks programme
• Record breaking numbers at four out of five locations
• £5,000 contributed by Local Authority partners
• £13,326 invested in local food providers and businesses