When I'm stressed, unimpressed, or my head's in need of rest, Beckett Park is my playground. I'm so…read morefortunate in that I'm a stone's throw away from it and can go for a walk/cross march whenever I need to clear my head. Considering that Beckett Park is literally slap-bang next to Leeds uni Headingley campus, it's hardly ever packed with people. I find it odd if I see more than 3 joggers whenever I go for an amble. I take the route via Churchwood Avenue into a thick arch of towering trees, the sky above stained with lush green leaves. it's easy to see why this was the childhood haven of many Leeds dwellers. I can just see the myriad games of Robin Hood / Manhunt / Hide and seek that must've gone down here. Biking through this strip of woodland must be very liberating! This park is beautiful at any time of the year, so if you're looking for a scenic setting to your morning jog you could do alot worse!

I realise my review may be somewhat tainted by the arrival of the snows but, when stripped of such…read moreexciting weather, I think Beckett's Park will still offer up plenty of fun and games. Literally ten minutes from Headingley you can walk straight up St. Anne's Road and you will have arrived at Beckett's Park. To the left there is the option to go for a mini woodland walk, in the midst of the suburban Headingley area, or you can carry on and in front of you to the park area itself. It might not be the largest space but it's big enough for a decent game of rounders/football and is surrounded by picturesque trees and greenery. Lots of fun! There's also a cute little bench, perfect for a sandwich and a light read. In terms of snow related fun I have been snow boarding - using a wheel-less mountain board as a snow board - down the hills of Beckett's Park! It is like, totally awesome. Be warned though, snowboard at your own risk - injuries are very possible - I have come away with a sprained posterior. You may laugh now but it's not great walking around with a limp and having to explain exactly where it hurts...

Sometimes we all need to get a nice big helping of fresh air to blast away those work blues or for…read moreme likely hangover. Luckily we're spoilt for choice here. One such place I love to go is Potternewton Park. It's out of the city off Harehills Lane and is well maintained. You've got formal gardens and picnic areas for a start. The active among you can also feel the deep burn with a game of tennis. Lesser assertion is needed for a cheeky spot of bowls and there is often some football going on. What it's also good for is bringing the community together with some annual events. The West Indian Carnival and Reggae Concert is a must. It's a vibrant mix of costumes, music and food and is great when the sun basks down and lights up a beautiful summer's day. If you feel like some greenery and open space then look no further.

Potternewton Park is a great green space in the Chapel Allerton/Harehills area. The surrounding…read morestreets are full of beautiful old style terraced houses and so it's a lovely addition to the area for the local children and teens to go for a wander. I've driven past it so many times on the way to work it seemed only right to stop by and check it out. At the top end there are some really lovely shrubbery arrangements, which I realise isn't the thing most people are interested in, but I quite enjoyed sitting and eating a sandwich with all the greenery around me. Further down there is a play area for the younger kids, which certainly looks more exciting than the likes of parks from when I was a kid, and there are basket ball courts and a skate area for the older ones too. As an adult there is simply a large expanse of beautiful green parkland for an afternoon stroll/sunny picnic. All in all it's a lovely place to visit if the busy roads and city life is stressing you out.

I'm doing it again; I must get to the water. I am a Gremlin. I need to multiply and water is my…read moresavour. In that case I could do a lot worse than Hemsworth Water Park and Play World. Now this badger has two lakes; the largest lake is available for pedalo rides and has sandy beaches; the smallest lake is in a more secluded area to attract wildlife. It's perfect if you want to do a Freddie Flintoff and fool around for a while. It's also ideal to see some great things of interest in this beautiful world we have around us. I'm going all John Lennon on you now. You've also got loads of grassed areas and picnics are no problem either (except the fact it's always freezing and wet in England). Then throw in the Play World bit. This is where I need to fall back and remind myself that I'm not a child any more. For "real" kids though it's got with a tower slide, climbing frames, a toddler's sandpit area and a miniature railway. Toot toot. Once again I've found you a corking day out with a difference but do check what is open if you go before the Easter holidays. You have been warned.

I find myself in something of a quandary. I value the provision of these islands of nature greatly…read moreand will always defend them from the encroaching urban sprawl but I find that I cannot get very excited about Hemsworth Water Park, Nice enough lakes and the ducks were very duck-like, the grass was probably just as green as any other park and the children's play area as clean and well maintained as the best of them but the other play area which is rather grandly called Playworld was locked up thereby saving us a few quid for an experience we could get for free in any half decent public park. I left with the feeling that I had wasted fuel driving to Hemsworth as there are better parks much nearer to where I live.

Just beyond Adel is Golden Acre Park, a place I've gone to regularly since I was a child, and loved…read moreevery time. You can get to it from the main road out of north-west Leeds, or, like I do, through the woods between Adel and Cookridge. It's perfect for any outdoor time you need - walking, running, dog-strolling or just chilling out and tossing a frisbee around. It's a very well preserved park - there is never any litter or stray dog muck, and the warden and gardeners do a splending job keeping it looking pretty whatever the weather. In the middle of the park there's a huge pond with loads of interesting wildlife to look at - but don't anger the geese (I've been chased by them a few times) by just feeding the ducks. There's ample free parking and a nice little cafe, making it the perfect park.

This is the sort of place that really, I mean *really*, makes me miss being at home in…read moreGloucestershire. It is just so beautiful. I think the fact that we are so lucky here in Leeds so as to have such a well maintained and beautiful green space just on the outskirts of the city centre is a real marvel. I can't imagine many other cities being so lucky! The main deal here is the walking. I won't bore you with more detail than that, I am sure you'll know how to put one foot in front of the other, but this is what we're talking about here. Sunny/crisp days and a lengthy stroll - it's great for the system and great for the soul. Bring your dog, your wife, yourself, your camera. Use your imagination, if you will, there is more fun to be had here and it is all for free. Whether it's the wildlife, the greenery, the air or the escape there are endless reasons to come and see what this place is all about. I heart WY and I heart Golden Acre Park. The end!

i always visit the park every sunday , i carnt belive its actualy free its like something you see…read moreand think you would have to pay a entrance free , a massive pond for fishing , park for the children , sand pit , slides and swings. i usualy go fishing on the pond with a reasonable price to fish , lovely people and litter free!

Now it's my welcome pleasure to say that the parks in Leeds are pretty much spot on. They all have…read moresomething good to shout about and yet are all that little bit different. East End Park is a good example of that. It's a Victorian Park (although I didn't see any corset clad women to speak of) and pretty too. The main appeal though is it's encouragement to keep the kids off the streets and active. That's not to exclude other age ranges but the facilities include tennis courts, football pitches, basketball court, playground and even a teen shelter. You've also got a bowling green for those a tad older. They are also big on sports camps throughout the summer months and have a popular annual bonfire. The Friends of East End Park are also devoted to improving and maintaining the park itself, so it's pretty much well looked after. You could do far worse than a trip out here if you want something of an outdoors nature to do.

I'm heading towards a run way, is that a good sign? Actually it is because I want to be in Yeadon…read more We're only talking ten miles out of the city centre and if it's good enough for an airport then surely it's good enough for you? Well let's see if Nunroyd Park can tempt you. The big seller of this beauty for me is the pond. Now I'm not a big fisher (or angler as I know people can get shirty about the difference!?!) but if I were then I'd spend my Sunday mornings here. Just pick up a pass and you're away. For me, I don't need to wait for a fish to get caught on the end of a sharp thing and I'm happy to have a good old meander around. And there is plenty of open grass for me to do that. The beck is nice too and worth a look at. There are also plenty of sports pitches for those who so wish and a skateboard park. Dude, I should really get into this skating lark, it looks rad and like totally awesome. Errmm on second thoughts...

Gotts park is actually used as a golf course, but is perfect for a stroll, flying balls permitting!…read more I always access Gotts Park by crossing the canal coming from Kirkstall Road via the slightly creepy area with the transformer station. After the bridge over the canal there is a really pretty path up through the trees, which create a kind of tunnel. Turning off to the right at the top of the path you reach a gentle hill up toward the mansion, a grade two listed building that seems to watch over the park with its large windowey eyes...or is that just me? Before you reach the mansion's lawn there is a towering dead-looking tree that has a dramatic weather-beaten look, somehow reflecting the sense of history evoked by the grand, imposing mansion behind. Following a path along the side of the mansion leads you to the extremely popular 'spoon', probably the best grassy sledging hill in Leeds, with an amazing view of the city. During our week of snow I doubt there was a moment when there wasn't someone hurtling down it at great speed. When I joined in the fun there was a bunch of snow boarders who seemed to be enjoying the ride. I have yet to explore the entire park, but its combination of perfect slopes and brilliant views gets my vote!

On a mission to find something different to do with my free time that didn't require massive…read moreplanning and organisation, namely transport efforts to reach it I found Gotts Park Golf Course. Close to many residential areas so you don't need a car to get to it and open to all it is a far cry from the immaculate greens of private clubs but that's why I felt comfortable (let alone felt like I could afford it) the topography will pride you with a mini-work out and challenging holes. It's got a pretty nice hazy view at this time of year too, try and get there in the afternoon for best light of the surrounding area this may not be the optimum time for a round.

When I first moved from the countryside to the city a couple of months back, I was really worried…read moreabout there being not enough trees or birds or, well, green things. Discovering Woodhouse Ridge on my doorstep was an absolute treat. It's a patch of wood which runs from Headingley, down between Meanwood Road and Woodhouse with lots of little paths weaving in and out. It doesn't have many amenities but its charm is its ruggedness. It's perfect if you just want to feel like you've ducked out of the bustling city for a while to pop your headphones in and go for a wander. The paths can get a little bit muddy but it's worth exploring. The views over the east of Leeds are quite impressive. Right now (late May/June), there are bluebells and wild garlic all over and it smells amazing. It's not very busy - a few dog walkers, cyclists and the odd jogger, but it's generally a very peaceful place. Last week, some friends & I took a picnic blanket and found a clearing in the Ridge and had a lovely time just chatting and munching snacks and watching the birds etc. There's a good amount of shade, as you'd imagine, so good for getting a bit of sun but not too much sun. Near the entrance by Rollette cafe on Meanwood Road, there are some allotments and, further up, there's the foundations of where an old bandstand used to be in the 1800s (I think). There is talk of renewing the bandstand and regenerating the Ridge a bit more, so fingers crossed this little natural gem is going to get even better.

One of the delights of living in this fantastic city is that one is never more than a stone's throw…read morefrom some incredible spots of natural beauty. Where other cities have decimated the nearby countryside, for some concrete space, we still have a wealth of green about us. Within a few minutes walk from Headingley, Meanwood and Woodhouse stands Woodhouse Ridge. Stood atop you can look right over Meanwood, and exploring left or right leads to dappled spots of forest. Not more than 10 minutes walk from the ridge I delved into the woods with a friend to watch a spoken word performance, complete with shadow puppetry and acappella song. It's the perfect place to tell tales. It's also perfect for an adventure with your camera. The green is often occupied by walkers, students picnicking and supping a few beers, dog walkers, merry wanderers, and of course all the wildlife you would expect. It's one of the remaining spots that were kept aside for leisure in Leeds, and dates back to the 1800s. Apparently there's an action group for the area, which you can join, to volunteer for days of conservation and maintenance. Since I've enjoyed it so much since living in Leeds, I may just do that.

It's time to venture north west out of the city and a quick stop off at Horsforth Hall Park…read more Yet another gem of a park with lots to do for all age groups and people. We're not talking massive here but it's a perfectly formed package, just the way I like it. On this occasion I'm not treated to one of the summer bands or cricket matches that take place in the summer months but that gives me the chance to have a wander around the other things available. They've got something they call a trim trail. Now I'm not sure if that means people over a certain weight will be shot if they use it but I'm guessing not. Throw in a Japanese garden too. A big plus for the community is the specially designed outdoor integrated play facility allowing disabled and able bodied children under the age of eight to play together. It's good stuff and pleasing to know there are things out there literally for all. The children have a good playground to go at and the skate park is a popular attraction amongst the older ones. Another classy park and worth a trip out

Count Merlot and I walk here about once a week as it is our nearest park with pathways...so this is…read moreusually when i have forgotten my wellies and hence don't want to walk in the woods! There is lots of parking with access for people in wheelchairs and/or pushchairs. there is a skate park; a japanese garden, bandstand, a few geocaches (although I think they are premium ones) a cricket ground, a garden boules green, an indian restaurant (that must be open in the evenings as i have never seen it open) and my favourite tree. a japanese maple. it is just glorious. This park is lovely in spring with the blossom trees and bluebells; in summer when all the kids are playing (nicely, i might add); autumn when leaves are changing and the need for a more solid than mud pathway is needed and winter when the snowmen spring up like something from a doctor who Christmas special. The only thing i don't like is that there are regular gypsy fairs on. I hate fairs with their unsafe rides and "games" that you can't win. their crazy dogs that bark and bite at everything.