New '˜pocket parks' to boost recreation in Leeds

Communities secretary Greg Clark said the groups will each receive more than £15,000 to create small parks – some only as big as tennis courts.

Mr Clark said the availability of green space draws more people outside, giving resident more space to relax, get together with neighbours, grow food and provide a safe space for children to play.

The Cardinal Pocket Park is earmarked for a neglected former allotment site on the Cardinals Estate in Beeston. It will include raised beds for the community to plant up with flowers and vegetables,

St Ann’s Mills Pocket Park is planned on a riverside site most recently used by a skip hire company at Kirkstall Valley Park. Little London Tenants & Residents Association is set to create Lovell Park flats Pocket Park, which will include an orchard for communal use as well as seating and safe play area for children.

Hunslet Carr Residents Association plan to create the Sandon Mount Pocket Park for the Woodhouse Hill community in south Leeds. The space will be used to grow vegetables and flowers and as a safe place for children to play

And New Wortley Residents Association will create a ‘pocket performance park’ at Jailey Fields, Armley.

Greg Clark said: “Our funding will benefit urban areas with few green spaces, delivering on the Government’s manifesto commitment to deliver pocket parks across our country. The successful bids in Leeds all have a strong community heart at the core of their plans, and they thought up creative ways to involve everyone in the area to turn unloved spaces into green lungs for their communities.”