Students help improve local park

Date published: 12 July 2010

HIGH school students have teamed up with volunteers to try to improve a local park in Haslingden. 

Twelve students from Haslingden High School are working with the Friends of Victoria Park to redesign the area off Helmshore Road and improve it for all of the users.
Student Council members Grace Pickup, 14, and Caris Ginn, 15, regularly use the park and so were already aware of some of the issues. 

Grace said: “There is a multi-use games area but it is right next to houses that surround the park and we think it really needs relocating.
“Although there is a children’s playground it is very far away from the entrance, with nothing much in between.”
Caris said: “We have visited the area, taken photographs, written up a series of options and have presented these to the year council in school. We are also looking to take these out the to primary schools and collate all the feedback so we can work up a plan for the park.” 

Vice-chairman of the Friends of Victoria Park Frances Whitehead praised the school’s involvement. She said: “We have tried to include everyone and already we are seeing things happen. The signs and notices have been repainted, there is a wild flower garden being planted and the path has been improved. “It is good to see everyone working together.” 

Haslingden High School’s Head of Expressive Arts Kevin Gibbs said: “There is a mosaic in the park which was originally made by students and depicted the school badge but it is in need of work. We are looking into whether it can be restored or whether it needs completely redoing.”