The Friends of Park Lane Park are a group of local voluntary mums and dads, grandmas and grandads and grown up children that want to make the area we live in a better place, and key to that is having somewhere to go, that is safe, welcoming and free. A better place for us, our children and our children’s children. As part of this group in 2021 we are working with a local college to provide a ‘real’ environment for young people studying construction skills. The park is in need of improvements to, and additional, fencing, planting and seating. We are therefore providing a place for the young people to practice their skills and at the same time have a positive impact in improving their local area for many years to come. However we need to provide the materials to these young people to enable them to do the works and that is where we are hoping local companies can support us and either provide some funds for us to buy the necessary materials or even provide the materials themselves.

What we'll deliver:

• Safe fencing around one side of the park, ensuring safety of animals and children
• provision of 4 seating areas around the trees
• provision of planters around the park/fencing

Why it's a great idea:

The area in which we live has an increasing population density which is putting more pressure on green spaces, fewer people have access to private gardens and so green areas are becoming more and more sort after. It is proven that parks and green spaces can offer a number of benefits in terms of improving mental health, providing ‘green gyms’, giving children open space to play in, and offering benefits for wildlife, this is how we want to improve our space. Our park is often referred to as a smaller ‘pocket’ park, which as it is locally accessible, our ‘pocket’ park is a small 2.25 hectares area of green space (on our doorstep, within walking distance), and we are lucky that we also have access to other green spaces in Havering however these areas are hilly, and bumpy and therefore restricts access to people with prams and wheelchairs, we can offer an area which is completely flat and accessible to all.

Steps to get it done:

• Provision of the materials
• Students have already been identified by the college
• Plans of proposals from students for the planting
• Start of construction
• Sign off of construction
• official opening of newly updated park late summer

Access to good quality, safe and local green spaces can contribute to local and national measures to reduce health inequalities and promote healthy and active lifestyles and is something all of us in Hornchurch and the Park Lane recreation area vicinity are very keen to have. Parks are likely to have crucial functions around health, climate regulation and increased connectivity in the next 30-50 years. encourage socialisation throughout the community. We aim to encourage the ability to develop new skills, build life skills, establish friendships and companionship. We have lots of plans for the future and some amazing community driven ideas but we need to start with the basics and this is where we need your help.