Park volunteers get online

A group of volunteers who help to maintain a local park are now online thanks to Knowsley Housing Trust.

KHT provided a grant for the Halewood Park Volunteers so they could buy a laptop and set up a website.

The group hopes that by getting online, more people will be attracted to use the park and the Knowsley Council-ran Environment Centre, and to give up their time with the volunteers.

Group treasurer Paul Long, 53, from Hunts Cross, said: “We are keen to get more people to use the park and the Environment Centre, and to help the volunteers if they can.

“We wanted to set up a website because these days a lot of people, both young and old, use the internet when they are looking for places to go and things to do locally.”

The group currently has three permanent members and about 12 floating members that help with tree felling, planting, pond cleaning, and other tasks within the park.

They also undertake conservation work such as species surveys and putting up nesting boxes.

“The park is surrounded by houses, but you wouldn’t know it. We have kept its wild character and it feels like you are in the middle of the countryside. It’s a great place to get away from it all,” said Paul.

“We have notices up at the Environment Centre about the activities that take place at the park and the volunteers’ meeting days, but we need to get people to the park first for them to see it.

“It will be fantastic to be able to reach a wider audience with an online presence and encourage people to use this wonderful natural parkland.”

Working alongside the council’s Green Spaces team, the volunteers have cleared overgrown entrances and have put in new entrance features, benches and notice boards with funds from the Big Lottery Fund. They have also planted a flower meadow with help from the charity Landlife and are now applying for grants to improve the duck pond.

The volunteers also worked with Jaguar Landover to replace the timber boardwalk.

The Environment Centre is also used by a cycling group, walking group, and an art club. A group is also being set up for local photographers who would use the park for wildlife photography.

Terry Bonner, Operational Director of Landlord Services at KHT, said: “The volunteers do a fantastic job and now they will hopefully be able to get more people involved in taking local ownership of the park and making the most of what it has to offer.”

To find out more about how to get involved with the Halewood Park Volunteers or about activities at the Environment Centre, contact the park ranger on 0151 488 6151 or go to the volunteers’ new website at www.halewoodparkvolunteers.weebly.com .

 Photo Caption: Halewood Park volunteers at the Environment Centre.