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South Leeds: Meet the Friends of Middleton Park
REGENERATION PROJECT: Jim Jackson and Frances Jones by the building site that is going to be the new visitor centre in Middleton Park.
The foundations are being laid for a bright future at historic Middleton Park.
The 630-acre park, in Town Street, Middleton, is in the midst of a £2m regeneration project that includes the opening of a new visitor centre.
Builders have already pulled down the park’s old Lakeside Centre and are looking to have the new foundations complete by the start of March ahead of an August completion date.
The overhaul also includes a new bandstand, redeveloped rose garden and more park entrances as well as improved footpaths and seating.
Nick Rose, property advisor for Wade’s Charity, which owns the park, said: “You tend to think it’s not appreciated enough – what a jewel they have sitting on their doorstep in south Leeds.
“They can go and stroll in an area of open countryside which is similar to living in the country rather than in a town and not many places have that.”
In 2008 nearly £1.5m was pledged by the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) and funds from Leeds City Council, Wade’s Charity and the Sir George Martin Trust also supported the park improvements.
And following minor delays the demolition of the old visitor’s centre started in November last year.
Mr Rose, who is also a member of the Friends of Middleton Park (FOMP), said: “It is a park which is different to a lot of other parks within Leeds because it’s more an area of natural woodland for people to stroll around rather than a formal park.”
The visitor’s centre is set to house a new cafe, which is set to be run by volunteers including those from the FOMP.
Formed in 2003, the group aim to maintain the park, protect wildlife and encourage activities inside it.
They host autumn and summer events, which will centre around a gazebo and portable building this year during the construction of the new visitor centre.
Mr Rose said: “The next stage that everyone wants to see is to extend the Middleton Railway further into the park – if that takes off it will become a national treasure never mind a local one.”
He said although he doesn’t think it’s a pipe dream it would probably cost around £750,000.
Situated four miles from Leeds city centre, the park is known locally for its rich history with 200 acres of ancient woodland, role in early coal mining and links with Middleton Railway.
The world’s oldest continuously working railway, founded in 1758, was once used for transporting coal and still runs passengers between Hunslet and a halt on the edge of the ancient woodlands.
There are more than 270 bowl-shaped pits in the park’s woodland resulting from mining dating back to the 1600s.
Coun Judith Blake (Lab, Middleton Park) said: “It’s so exciting to see work starting to take place and we’re really pleased with the new entrances making it more accessible to wider communities around the park.
“Everything’s going from strength to strength and the fact that the HLF gave us the funding has given us a huge boost of confidence, proving that this park is a jewel in the crown of Leeds parks.”
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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jennysop
Saturday, February 11, 2012 at 07:47 PMExtending the Middleton Railway into the Park would be a fantastic benefit to the Park and to Leeds as a city. Anything that can be done to help this to happen should be pursued. Come on City Council!
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