Norwich has a wide range of community groups that work to create and deliver environmental neighbourhood projects that are based outdoors, these include Friends of Woods and Parks and Community Gardens. These groups are generally geographically based and share similar aims and aspirations and may also encounter similar issues.

The initial aims of the network, which began in 2013, were to offer information to groups through targeted emails and to bring the groups together to have the opportunity to network, share ideas and successes and to raise awareness of what others are doing in the city. Council officers wanted to show the appreciation of the City Council for the excellent work these groups do helping to keep Norwich such a beautiful City.

By maintaining and improving their part of Norwich’s variety of Outdoor Projects they offer all residents the chance to enjoy nature in their neighbourhood either by simply visiting a local wood/park or community garden or if they choose, by joining in with activities.

As part of the Get Involved programme the network has grown and offers more opportunities to come together, previously offering social media training and in November 2019 the first work training day for members, hosted and led by the Norwich Fringe Project at Marston Marsh and Danby Wood. It still focuses on the original concept of bringing likeminded people together for networking, to see, enjoy and be inspired by what other projects are doing. OPN Network events are held, generally hosted by a member group so that other members can come together, visit their site and catch up over a cuppa.

Some of the OPN member groups' details can be found in the downloads section on the right hand side of this page, as an online directory of groups that you may want to check out for inspiration or to get involved with them yourself.

The Norwich Society has published an Atlas and Directory of parks and open spaces in Norwich, click on 'visit website' below for further details.

If you are a Norwich community group that has an outdoor/nature based focus and you would like to learn more or join the network, email Louise Curtis by clicking on the Contact button below.