I cycled through the park today and thought that it was looking better than I’ve seen it in the ten years I’ve lived here. The tulips we planted on the slope north of the bowling green caught my eye because red is not a colour we’ve had much of in the park (dog poo bins don’t count). I ran into Stephen K who has been doing great work getting the tennis courts playable for the summer – he was busy weeding a bed of colourful primroses. The community payback folks were there too painting the benches and fencing around the bowling green. Around all of this, the bushes, trees and beech hedge have been tided up by the great volunteer effort led by Rosie.
But, in a way these are symptoms of something more important. People have come together, they’ve talked through ideas and then worked together to improve the park. Some of these people live locally, some work for the council, some are our elected representatives and some were doing community pay-back for crimes they’ve committed. All of them improving a public space. And all this is just the start, there’s plenty more to be done.
If you’ve visited the park, whether walking the dog or pushing a pram, and appreciated any of the improvements or noticed a neglected spot you’d like to see improved, then you are also part of this community. Perhaps you might like to do more than look and wish. You can start by just saying hello or, if you’re shy, listening in. Come along to one of our meetings which are friendly and not particularly formal, the next one is on Tuesday 4th June, 7pm in the Asda community room. Or join volunteers in the park most Sundays between 2 and 4, if only to lend moral support. Or come and play on the tennis courts.
Keep an eye on this page or on the notice board in the park for events. I hope to see you there soon.