Councillors promise to “create long-term plan” to restore cherished park

Kirklees councillors have promised to “create a long-term plan” to restore the “cherished” Wilton Park after visitor concerns that it was not worthy of its Green Flag award.

Wilton Park was one of 118 locations across Yorkshire and the Humber to be awarded a coveted Green Flag earlier this year, passing rigorous standards for safety, accessibility, environmental management and community engagement.

Yet, an incident involving a burnt-out memorial bench led locals to question whether the park was worthy of its award.

Regular visitors such as Ralph Halgate, 76, branded the park a “disgusting and unsafe” place to visit, while ex-gardener, Peter Fawcett, 77, said he feared the Green Flag award was being “held up as evidence” by the council that the park was in good condition.

Now, councillors from Birstall and Birkenshaw – Coun Liz Smaje, Coun Phillip James, and Coun Joshua Sheard – are banding together to draft a Development Plan for Wilton Park.

Coun Sheard explained how the step was important in creating a long-term vision for Kirklees’ “most cherished parks”.

Coun Sheard said: “So the development plan looks at developing all aspects of the park. The football pitches, for example, could use some upgrading…You’ve got two great bowling greens that, unfortunately, have been left overgrown and to, well, die.

“As well as improvements, we will also be asking how we can utilise the spaces we have and maybe use some differently.”

Coun Sheard further explained that the plan would also oversee “general maintenance”, which he believed was “lacking” from the park.

“There are weeds that are growing through, and there is a rodent problem as well. There are rats that have run around quite often”, said Coun Sheard.

The plan identifies a range of potential improvements, including enhancements to the play area, sports facilities, pond, Butterfly House, footpaths, planting, benches and much more. Coun Sheard explained that the plan had been designed to guide future investment and ensure improvements reflected the needs of the community, but warned everyone would have to “put in the effort”.

Coun Sheard said: “It’s a community push… It’s getting people out of the habit of just dumping the rubbish, isn’t it?”

While there is no set budget, Coun Sheard assured that keeping the Green Flag status would be a top priority.

Coun Sheard said: “It’s about just continuing to make sure that the park is constantly maintained year on year and being able to come to the park to enjoy it rather than avoiding it, because parents worry that it’s not a place to go with their kids.”

The next step is to meet with the community groups to discuss the proposals, agree on priorities and “shape the future” of the park.

Speaking on previous fears from residents, Councillor Pip Harvey, Cabinet Member for Place, Culture and Volunteering, assured that though the park “hasn’t been at its best recently”, Wilton Park would be set to benefit from “more regular maintenance”.

Coun Harvey said: “…Like many councils, we are under significant financial pressure, which has sometimes meant our Parks and Green Spaces team has had to prioritise urgent work elsewhere. This does not diminish the importance of residents’ concerns.

“…I’m pleased and assured that Wilton Park will now receive more regular maintenance. The park entrance has already been improved, and further work on the herbaceous borders is planned for the autumn. I will continue to monitor progress to ensure residents see the improvements they deserve.”