A DERELICT garage site in Golcar has been transformed into an oasis of green – to the delight of local residents.
The “pocket park” on Laburnum Grove has been developed after Kirklees Neighbourhood Housing asked local people about the improvements they wanted to see in their area.
KNH worked with environmental improvement group Groundwork, tenants and residents and local councillors. Funding came from Kirklees Council’s Narrowing the Gap Fund and soft drinks firm Britvic.
Children from nearby Beech School were involved in the project by taking part in design workshops. Some of their designs have been incorporated into the fencing that borders the park.
Jacky Thomas, neighbourhood operations manager at KNH, said: “The park is a lovely community resource and is testament to the hard work of the local tenants and residents association and other community representatives.
“We were especially pleased to be able to involve local children in the project and hope that being engaged in this way will encourage them to take an active role in their communities in the future.”
The park was officially opened by Clr Hilary Richards, at an event attended by local people, KNH and Groundwork.
The new park is part of a wider regeneration project to improve the look of the area and encourage people to get involved in their community.
The programme has included investment in local homes to improve insulation, fencing, parking provision and landscaping.
