Local community asked to help with the future of Denehurst Park

Derek Mack, Bob Bevan, Jasmin Akhtar, Tommy Slater, Fergus Neaverson and Neil Neaverson

A visioning day was held at Denehurst Park today (Saturday 5 October) to allow locals the chance to help shape the future of Denehurst Park and to find out more about how to get involved with future projects.

Rochdale Council recently decided to establish a cemetery in part of Denehurst Park and with that decision the council gave a commitment to improve the remainder of the park in consultation with the local community.

The council has made a commitment to spend a minimum of £300,000 into the park to make the improvements.

Derek Mack, Specialised Service Manager for Environmental Management at Rochdale Council, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity to make a real difference in the local community.”

The visioning day was day one of a thirty-day informal consultation period. The four-week consultation will end on Saturday 2 November.

Derek added: “We have had great and positive responses and have had a mix of people coming to see us with a range of ideas.”

Young people have also got involved with giving their ideas about how they want to see the future of the park.

Jasmin Akhtar, from Rochdale Youth Service, said: “We have had about 15 young people in to see us today with ideas. They are keen to get involved and are passionate about getting things done.”

Ideas to improve the park have included a children’s fixed play area, better pedestrian access, improvements to security and safety and a formal garden area.

It is also hoped that a Friends of Denehurst Park group can also be formed.

Friends of Park groups are made up of people from the local community who are interested in improving and looking after the park in co-operation with the local council and park managers.

Bob Bevan, from Rochdale Council, said: “We have had a lot of people coming to support the idea of a friends group.”

Derek added: “There is no reason why Denehurst park can't be similar to places like Queens Park, which has had a lot of work done.”

To find out more about being part of a Friends of Denehurt Park group, contact the Parks and Open Spaces Development Manager Ian Trickett:

ian.trickett@rochdale.gov.uk

01706 922073

For further information about the consultation regarding the park and to submit an idea, visit:

http://consultations.rochdale.gov.uk/research/denehurst-park-improvements/cons ult_view