Members of Beeston in Bloom have planted a permanent symbol of their success by installing a giant wrought iron arch in Cross Flatts Park.
The specially designed piece of art was commissioned after the group won a prestigious award for making a difference to their local community.
The award, sponsored by insurance company Aviva, also came with £1,000.
Group secretary Linda Stanley, said: “Beeston in Bloom started in 1997 and began by arranging for hanging baskets to be put up to improve the look of the area.
“We now have 88 hanging baskets and over 30 planters all the way along Beeston Road.
“Things like that make a huge difference to the area in terms of brightening it up.
“It has always been our aim to make this area more attractive to residents and businesses, many of whom sponsor the planters.
“We decided on the arch so it would be a permanent reminder of the work the group has done.”
She added: “The group enters Yorkshire in Bloom every year. That’s not just about planting flowers, it’s about how much we do to improve the community in general.
“If anyone is interested in joining, we would be happy to hear from them.”
The group was founded in 1997, starting by organising hanging baskets on Beeston’s main roads, with the help of Leeds City Council’s Nursery, and Parks Department.
In 2005 the group installed 13 planters on traffic islands in Dewsbury Road in 2005, which are replanted by volunteers twice a year.
As well as the Millennium Garden in Cross Flatts Park, the group’s other major project is the flower bed it calls the Cardinals Triangle, at the junction of Dewsbury Road and Ring Road Beeston – again created and maintained entirely by volunteers.
The group meets on the first Monday of each month, the next meeting will be on February 4 at The Broadway pub from 5pm.
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