East Leeds Park comes alive in the sunshine

5.35.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Wed 9th Aug 2006

A beleaguered East Leeds park is getting back to its best according to Burmantofts and Richmond Hill Councillor Richard Brett. East End Park has been subject to something of a renaissance in recent months, proving a big hit with local residents enjoying the warm weather. Months of hard work by council staff and action groups such as the Friends of East End Park have paid off in time for hottest summer in years.

Councillor Richard Brett (Lib Dem, Burmantofts & Richmond Hill) one of the founding members of the Friends of East End Park said, "East End Park is now once again an asset to the area when previously it was bordering on being nothing more than an eye sore. In the last year there have been improvements to security with some "A" frame gates to stop large motorcycles getting on, new park seats and bins, new trees planted and nearly 10,000 bulbs planted largely by school children. There have also been more events in East End Park, including a Youth consultation in February, Band concert in July and a youth work project in August. New dog dirt bins are encouraging dog walkers to use the area more. There is still plenty of work to do but were getting there."

Notes:

1. The Friends of East End Park is a community group based in East Leeds. The Friends of East End Park formed with the specific aim of improving the park's lacklustre appearance.

2. Last year the council approved £75k worth of funding for the park after canvassing local residents at a meeting organised and attended by the Friends of East End Park. The money has been spent on :-

• Putting "A frame" barriers at each entrance to stop motor cyclists getting on to the Park.

• Adding about 10 vandal proof metal park benches

• Adding about a dozen new litter bins

• Planting 5000 daffodil bulbs along a stretch near East Park Parade

• Putting a "teen zone" hut near the basketball pitch

• Erecting new metal perimeter railings from Ings Crescent to Victoria Avenue.

• Re - siting and improving the two football pitches.