A POCKET park in a city neighbourhood has been tidied up and reopened in response to local residents.
The project to reopen the community space in Vernon Street, close to Tudor Road, has been supported by local ward councillors.
The site was closed up a few years ago due to ongoing problems with anti-social behaviour. However, now the city council’s parks department has cleared shrubbery, made improvements to pathways and opened up the space to create clear sightlines, which helps to make the area feel safer and reduces opportunities for anti-social behaviour to take place. A new bench and bin have also been installed.
Local police have supported the project and will help to monitor usage when it reopens.
Deputy city mayor responsible for culture, leisure and sport, Cllr Piara Singh Clair, said: “I’m very pleased that we’ve been able to restore this pocket park for residents to enjoy, and I know our parks staff have worked hard to make these improvements.”
Ward councillor Sue Waddington said: “The park was closed in 2016, but local people told us they wanted to be able to use it. The space is especially valued by local families, who want to be able to enjoy some green space, as many of the houses around here only have small back yards.
“As a result, we have worked with parks services to get it cleared up. We are also looking into ways of funding further improvements, such as installing some new play equipment, which we hope could also be possible in the future.”
Fellow ward councillor Ted Cassidy added: “Transforming an area from somewhere unloved and uncared for to a community asset, that local people care about and use regularly, will mean there is no space for anti-social behaviour and instead the site can be enjoyed by all. I’m delighted that we have been able to bring this space back into use.”
(ends)