We decided action was needed to keep our park a safe and beautiful environment. We recruited an enthusiastic group of volunteers to open the park gates in the mornings, and got ward committee funding so a security firm could close them at night (a harder job in such a big and woodsy park). For a year this trial initiative has been working brilliantly, reducing crime by over 50% and improving the condition of the park.
The reduction in vandalism has meant we could invest effort and money in the wildlife area and new pond, planting new orchards and maintaining old ones. It keeps our playgrounds in good condition, so we are now making plans to improve them too.
This year the council ward committee cannot afford the full amount. So we aim to raise £2000 (half of the cost of a year's gate-locking) through crowdfunding - just £10 a year from 200 households would achieve this!
And crucially - every pound we get will help us attract match funding from the council or elsewhere.
What we'll deliver:
- Attract match funding by demonstrating community support.
- Hire a security firm to close the park gates at night, every night.
- Support our team of volunteers who open the gates in the mornings.
Why it's a great idea:
The park is the centre of the Holgate community - a wonderful environment shared by all ages. As long as we keep it looking loved, others will respect it too. And the better state it is in, the more we can invest to improve it even more.
So many local people have actively shown their support by getting involved in the gate opening team (and we don't want to lose them!) - show yours by donating what you can.
Steps to get it done:
- Hire contractor to continue locking gate for another year.
- Seek match funding from ward committee to enable contractor to be hired for two years.
