In 1912, Ward formed the Hallamshire Footpath Preservation Society, and in 1926 he founded the Sheffield and District Federation, a founding branch of the Ramblers Association. An area of Lose Hill, in the Peak District, was given to him by the Association in 1945 and named Ward's Piece; he subsequently presented this to the National Trust. Ward also worked on the 1933 purchase of the Longshaw Estate and was a founder member of the local Youth Hostel Association.