The Look Out Appeal

A new education centre for young people in Hyde Park.

"Getting out into a Park is a great learning experience for city kids. The children enjoy lots of different activities ranging from mini-beast observations, tree studies and the weather cycle, to recycling, birdlife, habitats and park occupations. Until now, our target audience has been schoolchildren aged 5-11 years old but we would like to expand this age range in the future"
- Nick Lane – Education Officer, Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens

The Look Out centre is a magical area in the heart of Hyde Park, which reputedly has the cleanest air in central London. It plays a key role in the Royal Parks’ education programme and welcomes over 1,000 young pupils from state primary schools each year.

However, the Look Out's two classrooms - which are converted from old police dog kennels - are stifling in summer and too cold to use in winter, are also cramped and becoming increasingly dilapidated.

Our vision is to create a fabulous, new, eco-friendly centre, surrounded by wildlife ponds and a nature trail, that will provide a doorway to lead future generations of city children into the natural world, encouraging them to appreciate wildlife and look after the environment. It will also provide a new home for the Foundation.

The Look Out aims to raise £1.8 million in order to complete the new education centre and the campaign has already attracted support totalling more than £960,000.

Trudie Styler and Sting are amongst those who have generously supported the Appeal to date. They say:

"We care passionately about connecting young people with nature and the environment. For all those who work there and for its ever growing audience of young people, the Look Out is one of the most important and involving education centres in London. Its special character shines out.

We are lucky that our children have had the opportunity to get to understand and appreciate the natural world. For many city children it is not easy, which is why we are delighted to support one of the classrooms at the new Look Out education centre."

Please join us in supporting the Look Out Appeal.

How you can help
To raise the remaining funds required to build the Look Out, The Royal Parks Foundation has commissioned Halycon Gallery and artist Simon Gudgeon to create Isis, a beautiful sculpture that will be unveiled in Hyde Park in July 2009. Click here to find out how you and Isis can make the Look Out centre a reality, or click here to reserve a dedication plaque now.