Creativity and investment combine to improve the parklife
by Hayley Southern, Claire Sudbury, Helen Mason and Sarah Morrison
An example of this is at Killen Green Park. Due to be finished by the end of July 1998, young people from the area have been heavily involved in designing and implementing the new developments.
During the last year, a group of girls involved with Venus, an organisation that works creatively with young women, were asked about their views on Killen Green Park and what they would like to see there.
After several months of working with Venus, attending meetings and design groups, the young women added their plans and ideas for the park to those put forward by other members of the public. Development started in December 1997 and workers and residents are expecting and hoping that the park will be finished by the summer.
When completed, many facilities for all age groups will be available at Killen Green. Five-a-side football areas and a play area for young children containing swings, a climbing frame and springy animals all fixed on safe rubber surfacing, are features of the park.
For older children there is a tyre swing and rotating balance beam, a sitting area on steps and a basketball area. These facilities are fenced off to prevent dogs going into the play area. A dog exercise area is provided to encourage owners to keep their animals on leads in the rest of the park and there is a seating in a quieter area for people to relax in.
A new steel entrance has been put at the front of the park on Fleetwoods Lane and eventually Killen Green will be one of Sefton’s finest parks, providing a much-needed service to the public.
The involvement of the community has proved very successful, with local people working together to produce a park that meets their needs. It is hoped that people in and around Netherton will be very pleased with the new developments and not mistreat or abuse them.
In addition to Killen Green, a number of other parks and open spaces have been created or improved in Netherton over the last three years.
Marian Gardens, at the back of the Marian Square, has been developed as the largest park in Netherton because of its central location. It is suitable for any large community events that might be planned and is easily accessible by public transport.
It is already widely used by local youngsters, especially since the installation of a cable ride, tractor-tyre swing and basketball and football areas. A seating area with rose planting has been provided and there are new footpaths, a dog exercise area and a picnic area within an orchard.
Abbeyfield Park in Park Lane, along with Killen Green, is an example of a park which has been developed with the help and ideas of local people. Through consultation meetings, residents were able to identify the needs of their own community and the development of the park reflects this. A "Friends of…" group works with Sefton Leisure Services to make sure it is well-maintained.
Copy Farm Park on Copy Lane differs from many of the other developments in that it is classed as an environmental park. The play area has been designed with help from local children who have incorporated a wildlife theme within the rubber surfacing.
Bark surfacing is also provided, which is more in tune with the environment because the play area is situated alongside a Site of Biological Interest, where ponds, wet areas and specialist planting attract many different species of flora and fauna that are unique to Netherton.
Four play areas have been redeveloped with extensive resident consultation and Pendle Play Park will host an annual fun day.
Pinfold Cottage on the Northern Perimeter Road and St. Christopher’s are newly-created woodland parks. These natural areas provide a quieter form of recreational park and compliment the developments of the play areas. General improvements have also been made to Netherton Village Green and St. Monica’s Park and Park Lane.
Kirsty Rhind, Landscape Architect for Sefton Leisure Services, takes specific responsibility for the Netherton area. She says: "My role as Parks Development Officer is funded by the Netherton Partnership Single Regeneration Budget and I concentrate on the Netherton area to address a whole range of environmental areas, parks and open spaces. This has worked well, with the community taking part in the consultation and design processes. This means that people get the type of park improvements that they want and will hopefully take pride in their park."
