Pocket Parks for Hunslet Carr and Cardinals

Two communities in South Leeds will benefit from a share of a £1.5m government fund to create more urban ‘pocket parks’.

The Sandon Mount Pocket Park will be a brand new park for the Woodhouse Hill community in Hunslet Carr. This community is made up of dense housing in close proximity to the motorway, many of the houses have either only very small gardens or no garden at all with little in the way of quality amenity space. This piece of land has been saved by the local residents from development and they now intend to turn it into a pocket park for use by the local community.

Land at Sandon Mount with Hunslet Carr Primary School in the background
Land at Sandon Mount with Hunslet Carr Primary School in the background

The space will be used by the local school for growing food and flowers, as an outdoor classroom and as a safe place for children to play.

Kenny Saunders from Hunslet Carr Residents Association said:

“We’re delighted to have been awarded this funding, it will enable us to continue our project with the community and the school.”

Yvonne Crowther from the White Rose Community Association on the Cardinal estate in Beeston said:

“We are absolutely thrilled and excited at being awarded the funding for the ‘pocket park’.

L-R: Kevin Wigley (Community Forest Trust), Joe Coles (LCC), Parks staff, Yvonne Crowther, John Casey (LCC) Susan Brearley, Cllr Adam Ogilvie
Recent tree planting on Cardinal Square

“It has been something I have been talking about wanting to set up for a good number of years and it’s actually going to start soon. It will enable the community, all ages & ethnicities, to come together and sow, grow, pick, cook, eat and share together. The young can learn from their elders and vice versa and share a project together.

“We will also be having a healing/ growing area to grow those products which help heal naturally. The area will also be there for residents who want to come along to relax. It will be wheelchair friendly to enable those in wheelchairs to be able to become involved too. It is a very therapeutic hobby.

“The site is at the back of Redhall Crescent. We are all looking forward to it immensely.”

Communities Secretary, Greg Clark, said:

‘Parks and green spaces breathe life into our bustling towns and cities providing communities with precious spaces to get together, exercise and play.

“Our funding will benefit urban areas with few green spaces, delivering on the government’s manifesto commitment to deliver pocket parks across our country.

“These winning bids all have a strong community focus at the core of their plans and their designers have thought up highly creative ideas to turn unloved urban spaces into the green lungs of their communities that will be enjoyed for years to come.”