Successful Summer Roadshow

Leeds Parks Fund went on the road in August to raise awareness about our work and the numerous cross cutting benefits of parks and green spaces to the city.

The roadshow visited 8 venues, a mix of popular park sites and community events, including Park Square, Temple Newsam, Cross Flatts Breeze, Hyde Park Unity Day and the Chapel Allerton Arts Festival.

Overall, the roadshow engaged almost 550 people in conversations about Leeds parks and over 200 filled in comment cards about how they used they favourite park and how it could be improved.

One park user said Meanwood Park had “lovely foraging opportunities for lavender and wild mushrooms” but needed more “public art”. Someone else wrote that they loved the flowers and birds at Armley/Gotts Park. A young park user praised the bike ramps at Holbeck park while another said they enjoyed playing hide and seek at Roundhay.

There were plenty of suggestions about how to improve parks, including signs produced in different languages to improve accessibility, playground equipment for older children and planting more trees to capture carbon and combat the impact of climate change.

A new range of #LoveLeedsParks merchandise was launched on the roadshow and was well received by those who visited the stall.

It is planned to build on the success of the roadshow by visiting other community events including Christmas fairs in the run up to the festive season.