Residents on Beeston Hill told the Council quality green space for them, their friends and family mattered. Working with the local people, we’ve supported projects to bring life back to the local parks. The overall aim is to create community spaces shaped by you and for you.
Thanks to funding from Leeds Public Health and the Hunslet and Riverside ward Councillors, Touchstone was commissioned to work with local people to re-energise Trentham Park. Planters, colourful artwork, and welcoming community activities have all transformed the former patch of grass. The new ‘Friends of Trentham Park’ will continue this work, working in partnership with the Council.
Rowland Road Park is up next. Inspired by Trentham Park, the Councillors, Communities Team ,Parks and Countryside and Cleaner Neighbourhoods Team took part in a bulb planting session led by pupils from St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Primary School. Despite the rain, the children gave all the adults a masterclass in how to plant bulbs and dig muddy holes!
Cllr Paul Wray commented:
“Trentham Park showed us a way forward. This community-led project, working in partnership with the Council, has created a truly local shared space. As Trentham moves on to the next stage of its journey, it’s now time to focus on Rowland Road, to create an additional community-owned space. If you’re like me and love getting stuck in, come and join us. But, unlike me, wear proper boots!”
Feedback from the school:
“…… our School Council children took part in a fantastic community project – bulb planting at Rowland Road Park. On one of the wettest days of the week, the children braved the weather, walked to the local park and planted over 1,000 bulbs of crocuses and daffodils!
“With the help of Leeds City Council representatives and the local Councillor, they had great fun and a sense of belonging to the community.
“As a Thank You, the children received a goodie bag each, but of course the real reward is their knowledge that in a few months’ time Rowland Road Park will be a much prettier place. Please visit Rowland Road Park in Spring to see the results of their hard work!”
After the children left to go back to school, Cllr Wray, the Communities Team, Cleaner Neighbourhoods, Waste Management, Touchstone and partners spoke to residents to ask what local improvement they’d like to see. There will be more community action days planned and we’d love to see more local people get involved in making Beeston Hill an attractive place to live, work and play.
This post was written by the Communities Team at Leeds City Council
