Explore Essex News Essex Country Parks welcome record numbers of visitors in 2020 The Essex Country Parks were delighted to welcome over one million visitors in 2020 (from April to the end of December). The parks saw unprecedented demand as they played an important role in helping Essex residents with their mental and physical health during the year, providing access for local communities to open green spaces in which to walk, cycle, ride and play. A spokesperson for the parks said: “The fact that we have had one million visitors is something we are immensely proud of and proof that the people of Essex have appreciated the hard work of the staff during the pandemic to maintain and keep the parks open.’’ Find out more about the parks near you: www.exploreessex.com/places-to-go/our-parks-and-places. Always follow government guidance when you visit.
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The Infinity Forest INSTAR and the Explore Essex Arts Commission at Danbury In 2020, arts partnership INSTAR won an Explore Essex Arts Commission to create an installation in one of the Essex Country Parks to celebrate the Essex Forest Initiative. Here, we talk to INSTAR to find out more. Tell us a little about what interested you in the initial commission? INSTAR aims to create deeper connections to the natural world through contemporary art. We are both lifelong artists and naturalists so obviously we are very passionate about enthusing people in everything concerning the natural world in innovative and creative ways. We were naturally drawn to the values of the Essex Forest Initiative by its sheer ambition and commitment to positive environmental action, planting 375,000 trees over the course of five-years is a mammoth task, so the opportunity to create awareness about this project, whilst at the same time creating art that will inspire people about the natural world, is one that we are very excited to be part of.
