Here’s an interesting video from the American Alliance for Childhood and KaBOOM! about the benefits of risk in children’s play.
We obviously want our play spaces to be safe, but that need not mean they have to be lined with cotton wool…
Community Spaces is a £57.5m open grants programme funded through the Big Lottery Fund and managed by Groundwork UK. This is a place for the Community Spaces team, Facilitators, projects as well as passers-by to share their stories about transforming green open spaces.
Play – a risky business?
Posted on 15th May 2012 by Chris BurtonCommunity Spaces survey complete
Posted on 9th May 2012 by Chris Burton
Many thanks to all Community Spaces groups who completed our recent survey to find out what you want from an event we are planning to help you to get the most from your project and to develop the fantastic work you are already doing in communities across England.
We have sifted the hundreds of replies and are now about to start work on designing the event, taking into account your views on venue, timing, content etc. As soon as firm decisions have been made, we will let you know.
The event will be an opportunity to share experiences, learn from experts and celebrate your achievements.
Everyone who completed the survey was in with a chance of winning two tickets to one of this year’s Royal Horticultural Society shows at Chelsea, Gardeners’ World Live in Birmingham and Hampton Court Palace.
The winners, chosen at random from the completed entries, are:
Chelsea
Lesley Jones from the Friends of Calder Holmes Park in West Yorkshire
Gardeners’ World Live
Robin Lock from the Friends of Myton Pool in Warwickshire
Jeni Penfold from the Lyn Arts & Craft Society in Devon
Hampton Court Palace
George Jackson from the Ellington Pond Management Committee in Northumberland
Della Langman from the Warton Village Society in Lancashire
Congratulations to all the winners – and here’s hoping the sun shines!
Groundwork, which manages Community Spaces on behalf of the Big Lottery Fund, has a major presence at all the RHS shows this year as part of its Operation Groundwork 30th anniversary celebrations.
Groundwork is presenting a series of Urban Oasis gardens, designed by Chris Beardshaw, with the aim of showing how even the most unloved and neglected areas can be turned into valuable green spaces.
You can find out more about Operation Groundwork here. And if you are attending any of the shows at Malvern, Chelsea, Birmingham, Hampton Court and Tatton Park, do drop by the Urban Oasis stand and say hello.
Going wild in Jarrow
Posted on 3rd May 2012 by Chris Burton
Coun Alan Kerr, Geoff Dawson of Groundwork and West Park Friends chairman Paul Moore with pupils from St Bede’s and Epinay schools
The West Park Wildlife Area in Jarrow, which was launched just a week ago, is already an award-winner.
The Wildlife Area was conceived two years ago and developed through the hard work and enthusiasm of the newly formed Friends of West Park and funded entirely by Community Spaces. Wildflower bulbs and plug plants, as well as trees and shrubs have been planted in their thousands to give a swathe of colour for human visitors to enjoy and an improved habitat for wildlife.
Just a few days before the launch the Friends won the Greener South Tyneside category in the Pride of South Tyneside awards organised by the Shields Gazette in partnership with the Customs House and South Tyneside Council.
Friends chairman Paul Moore said: “We weren’t expecting it at all, and it’s so nice to be recognised for what we do. We’re delighted with the way the scheme has worked out. We have 15 members and the more who join, the more we can do.”
In the park, the Community Spaces grant has provided picnic tables, a path through the woodland to an ‘outdoor classroom’ log seating area, interpretation panels and nature trail posts that lead visitors on a self-guided’ walk.
More than 40 pupils from Epinay Business and Enterprise School and St Bedes RC JMI School attended the launch. The schools were involved in designing the site and the nature trail.
Coun Alan Kerr, deputy leader of South Tyneside Council and a member for the Monkton ward, which includes West Park, officially launched the scheme.
He said: “The Friends, Groundwork and Community Spaces have done a great job. I’m proud to be able to support residents in their efforts to keep West Park looking its best.”
Geoff Dawson, operations manager for land and neighbourhoods for Groundwork, which planted trees and shrubs, said: “It has been an absolute pleasure to help the Friends turn their dreams into a reality.”
The Friends are now embarking on sustainability work, including maintenance of the wildlife area, visiting other similar sites to continue developing the park and organising events in the park.
The Friends are always keen to welcome new members. They meet on the second Tuesday of each month, at 6pm, at West Park Lodge, just off Park Road, Jarrow.
May project launches
Posted on 2nd May 2012 by Chris Burton
A very merry month of May is in store for Community Spaces projects up and down the country.
If you have a launch event that is not listed here, please email us at press@community-spaces.org.uk and we will update the list.
May 4
Turner Community Hall
1 Welbeck Road
Mansfield Woodhouse
Nottinghamshire
NG19 9JY
Community Orchard
May 5
Castlefields Canal and River Park Association
Calne Lock
Castlefields Park
Calne
Wiltshire
SN11 0JJ
Lock restoration and park improvements
May 5
Friends of Charnock Recreation Ground
Carterhall Lane
Sheffield
S12 3HS
Park refurbishment
May 5
Cottingley Tenants and Residents Association
Cottingley Vale
Leeds
LS11 0JY
Improvements to Sphinx Square
May 5
Oaklands and Meadows Residents Association
Oaklands
Lowton
Lancs
WA3 2LD
Playground
May 6
Kirkby Lonsdale Play Partnership
Tram Lane
Kirkby Lonsdale
Cumbria
LA6 2BQ
Playground
May 7
Swimbridge Church Streamside Garden
St James Church
Swimbridge
Barnstaple
Devon
EX32 0PH
Churchyard improvements and community garden
May 7
The Baldock Society
Avenue Park
West Avenue
Baldock
Herts
SG7 5AY
Park restoration and improvements
May 11
South Tynedale Railway Preservation Society
Kirkhaugh Farm
Alston
Cumbria
CA9 3BG
Access improvements to linear park
May 12
Friends of Bowdon Bollin
Ashley Mill
Ashley Mill Lane
Altrincham
Cheshire
WA14 3PU
Riverside footpath restoration and improvement
May 12
Basford & Cliffe Vale Residents Association
Basford Park
Haydon Street
Basford
Stoke-on-Trent
ST4 6JD
Community growing space, park improvements
May 13
Fairfield Association Urban Nature Area (FAUNA)
Sunnyside Lane
Lancaster
LA1 1SW
Urban nature reserve
May 19
Blue Heaps Environmental Improvements
Anysley Terrace
Consett
Co Durham
DH8 5NJ
Path improvements and biodiversity works
May 19
Parish of Northbourne Recreation Projects
Almonry Meadow
The Drove
Northbourne
Deal
Kent
CT14 0LN
Playground
May 19
Escomb Village Play Area Regeneration
Escomb
Durham
DL14 7ST
Playground
May 20
Access to the Dell for All
The Dell
Warwick Place
Leamington Spa
Warwickshire
CV32 5BJ
Play equipment and park improvements
May 20
North Frodingham Playground
South Townside Road
North Frodingham
East Yorkshire
YO25 8LE
Playground
May 26
Adlington Road Skate Play Area Improvements
Bollington
Macclesfield
Cheshire
SK10 5JT
Skate park improvements
One square at a time…
Posted on 2nd May 2012 by Chris BurtonHere’s a neat thing from the nice people at Frugal Dad
It’s American, so (obviously) the figures are in dollars, but you get the picture…
Source: http://FrugalDad.com
Operation Groundwork
Posted on 23rd April 2012 by Chris BurtonYou may already have heard, but Groundwork is celebrating its 30th anniversary of changing place and changing lives with a major campaign to increase awareness, recruit volunteers and raise cash to help our projects across the country.
There’s heaps of information on the Operation Groundwork website, but as a taster here’s a rather funky animation to give you a flavour of what we do – and how you can become a part of it.
Winning over the doubters in Paignton
Posted on 23rd April 2012 by Chris Burton
The Paignton Geoplay Park, a Community Spaces Flagship project, was the subject of heated local debate from the outset.
The team behind the project, the Paignton Community Partnership, faced many vocal objectors who warned that the playpark was in the wrong place, was the wrong size or was just plain wrong!
However, they stuck to their guns and now appear to have won over many of the people who were initially against the project.
Jim Parker, editor of the local paper the Torbay Herald Express, has summed up the history of the playpark and its impact in his latest column.
It makes welcome reading for Louise, Tracey and the others involved in the Paignton project, as well as offering inspiration to other groups whose ideas for Community Spaces are running into local “difficulties.”
There are some fabulous pictures of the playpark on our Flickr page. Take a look and of course, if you find yourself in the English Riviera, get along to Paignton and see the playpark for yourself.
Urban Oasis makes its debut
Posted on 18th April 2012 by Chris Burton
If you’re looking for some inspiration this weekend, why not take a trip to the Royal Horticultural Society’s Cardiff Show?
One of the highlights of this and other RHS shows throughout the summer will be the Urban Oasis garden, devised by the RHS and Groundwork and designed by landscape designer and broadcaster Chris Beardshaw.
Volunteers from Merthyr Tydfil will be rolling up their sleeves and helping to create the garden, which is sponsored by Marks & Spencer.
Inspired by Groundwork and RHS It’s Your Neighbourhood community green space projects across South Wales, the garden features a number of Welsh natural habitats and will illustrate how good quality landscape design can transform neglected green spaces for community benefit.
It will also contain an environmentally-conscious display, a weather station and bat boxes. After the show, the garden will be recreated at the Fedw Hir Eco-Centre at Llwydcoed, near Aberdare, home of Groundwork Merthyr & Rhondda Cynon Taff and an environmental education centre. It will be used as a learning resource for local schools.
Many of the volunteers are long term unemployed. One of them, Paul Bryce, aged 28, of Pentrebach, said: “Working at the Horticultural Learning Zone has opened a lot doors for me. I feel taking part in something like this creates a real ripple effect, as I can pass on things I’ve learned. I’m now teaching my son how to grow tomatoes!
“It’s a massive honour and a privilege to be helping to build the garden at RHS Show Cardiff. It’s overwhelming that someone like Chris Beardshaw not only took the time to visit us but also liked our work so much he wanted to incorporate it into his show garden. It feels great to be part of a team that started with nothing to have our potential recognised.”
Chris Beardshaw, who visited the HLZ and other projects earlier this year added: “The green space around us – where we live and work – has a fundamental effect on our emotions and behaviour. It is well documented that in areas where these spaces are neglected and poorly designed we see strong evidence of social unrest and it is easy to see why when you stand in these spaces yourself.
“Whatever the green need there is a solution and contrary to popular belief it doesn’t have to mean high cost – the Urban Oasis Gardens showcase design solutions which can make such a difference in people’s lives.”
The RHS helps over 100 communities and gardening groups in Wales. To find out more, visit the Wales in Bloom team at RHS Show Cardiff. To read about RHS work in the community, including how schemes like RHS Britain in Bloom and It’s Your Neighbourhood have helped transform communities, visit the Britain in Bloom website
National Gardening Week, from April 14-22, is a chance for the RHS to share its wealth of knowledge with every gardener across the nation.
April project launches
Posted on 2nd April 2012 by Chris BurtonA bumper crop of Com
munity Spaces project launches this month. Why not take advantage of the warmer weather to get along and show your support?
April 4
Bromley Farm Community Development Trust
Bromley Farm Community Centre and Recreational Park
Edinburgh Road
Congleton
Cheshire
CW12 3EN
Playground
April 5
Hawthorne Square Residents Group
Hawthorne Square
Seaham
Durham
SR7 7DD
Playground
April 5
Wingate Welfare Park
Wingate
Durham
TS28 5AL
Playground
April 7
Friends of Heaton Norris Park
Love Lane
Stockport
Cheshire
SK4 1JA
Playground
April 7
Blackawton Playing Fields Association
Vicarage Road
Blackawton
Devon
TQ9 7AX
Playpark
April 7
Friends of Stentiford Hill Park
Braddons Street
Torquay
Devon
TQ1 1QH
Playground
April 9
Emneth Playing Field Committee
Hungate Road
Emneth
Norfolk
PE14 8DE
Playground
April 9
Friends of Chislehurst and Walden Recreation Ground
Empress Drive
Chislehurst
Kent
BR7 5BG
Fitness trail
April 9
Changing Cheetham Active Neighbours
Heatherdale Drive/Alderglen Road
Cheetham
Manchester
M8 0TR
Community garden & allotments
April 11
Woodsend Community Group
Woodsend Park
Flixton
Manchester
M41 8GY
Playground
April 11
Lawrence Weston Community Farm
Saltmarsh Drive
Lawrence Weston
Bristol
BS11 0NJ
Community gardening & allotments
April 13
Friends of Kingsway Park
Kirkby-in-Ashfield
Nottinghamshire
NG17 7DJ
Skatepark
April 14
Friends of Peckham Rye Park
Southwark
London
SE15 3UA
Community garden
April 14
Parklife Community Action Group
Chiltern Crescent/Cotswold Road
Worthing
West Sussex
BN13 2LW
Playground and seating
April 14
Mossvale Tenants & Residents Association
Silver Street
Irlam
Manchester
M44 6JJ
Playground
April 15
Bermuda Village Residents Association
Bermuda Lake
Nuneaton
Warwickshire
CV10 7PW
Natural play area
April 21
Garstang Millennium Green Trust
Wyre Lane
Garstang
Lancashire
PR3 1HZ
Footpaths and bridleways
April 21
Friends of Knighton Park
Palmerston Boulevard
Leicester
LE2 3RJ
Outdoor gym
April 21
Kingfisher Pre School
Coombe Park
Jackman’s Meadow
Cawsand
Torpoint
Cornwall
PL10 1NU
Playground
April 21
Friends of Boyland Common
Dog Lane
Shelfanger
Diss
Norfolk
IP22 2HB
Maintenance and improvements to common
April 21
Johnson Fold Residents Association
Shakleton Grove
Bolton
Lancashire
BL1 5TA
Footpaths and landscape improvements
April 25
Friends of Gledhow Valley Woods
Roundhay
Leeds
LS8 1PS
Green space improvements
April 27
Holt Park Tenants and Residents Association
Holt Lane/Cookridge Lane
Holt Park
Leeds
Green space improvements
April 27
Friends of West Park Jarrow
Park Road
Jarrow
Tyne & Wear
NE32 5JP
Park improvements
April 28
Highfield Hall Community Association
Highfield Road
Farnworth
Bolton
Lancashire
BL4 0AW
Playground
April 28
Ambleside Community Group
Kirkstone Close
Ambleside
Cumbria
LA22 9LB
Playground
April 28
Bream Early Learners
West Dean Centre
High Street
Lydney
Gloucestershire
GL15 6JW
Playground
April 28
Bramham Community Action Group
Wetherby Road/Lyndon Avenue
Bramham
Leeds
LS23 6RG
Community gardening and allotments
April 29
Aylesford Peace Garden
The Friars
Aylesford
Kent
ME20 7BX
Community garden
Geoplay park set for launch
Posted on 29th March 2012 by Chris Burton
Things are about to take off at the Paignton Geoplay Park in Devon, a Community Spaces flagship project.
The project’s official launch will take place in June, but this weekend local children are being invited to try out the park, which is themed to reflect the area’s location at the heart of the English Riviera Geopark.
Here’s a time-lapse film of the construction of the entrance stone to the park… if only all work on site could be completed this quickly!
