Open Country Members Repairing the Vandalised Wall

Last week, 17th February 2014,  Friends of Parkinson’s Park were delighted to welcome a group called “Open Country” to the Park,  to help with several outstanding conservation and repair jobs.  Open Country is a  Yorkshire based charity that seeks to enable anyone with a disability to access the countryside.  It undertakes valuable conservation and footpath repair work each week of the year.  It has a variety of countryside activities including providing work parties to help community projects.

The group worked in the Parkinson’s Park on Tuesday and Friday, repairing the dry stone wall overlooking Jubilee Walk that has been continuously and purposefully vandalised for a whole year by a group of local people – who appear to think their time is productively spent kicking down the wall for others to rebuild!!   Open Country also cleaned and restored the vandalised bench in the butterfly area of the park; repaired the wind damaged compost area,  filled in the gaps on Jubilee Walk by planting trees,  and even did a bit of remedial mud removal on the bridlepath near the sheepfold entrance. Chris was on hand to give some support,  and materials were provided by FOPP.

The group did a fantastic job, although didn’t quite get enough time to finish the wall and will be returning to do that in the near future. They may also be willing to help us on more projects over the coming months.

Thank you to the members of Open Country from all the residents in Guiseley and elsewhere who use and enjoy the Park.