Leeds Civic Trust award for Roundhay Park history boards

The Friends of Roundhay Park (FORP) worked with local historians to create a large picture-led timeline showcasing how people in Leeds have enjoyed using Roundhay Park over the last 200 years.

The Civic Trust awarded the park volunteers a bronze award for the boards in its annual Snaith Awards.

The Snaith Awards, which are awarded to projects completed by one of Leeds Civic Trust’s affiliated societies, recognise the work of communities across Leeds which boosts understanding of the city's natural environment.

Carol Haughton, FORP group secretary said: "The timeline is the first ever timeline of Roundhay Park on public display. By creating it we have brought the park to life. Our hope is that in the future the park is still as beautiful in 100 years time and another century of facts have been added to our timeline. Thanks to Leeds Parks staff for their help in installing the boards.”

Sara Dawson, the curator of the timeline said: "Around 46,000 children visit the park every year, that's potentially 46,000 children who could leave the park with new-found knowledge and a deeper understanding of why we should protect and love Roundhay Park.

"FORP has an extensive archive of images made up of photographs and images donated to the charity.

"This was a fabulous resource for the timeline. Gaps we had in images were generously filled by Leeds Museums and Galleries and the Yorkshire Post.

"The Yorkshire Post donated fantastic images of the pop concerts in the eighties, from the likes of Madonna and the Rolling Stones. Leeds Museums and Galleries were able to source newspaper drawings depicting when John Barran purchased the park for the people of Leeds.”

The history boards can be seen in the new Lakeside Playground opposite the Lakeside Cafe.

They have also been reprinted in the gardens outside Tropical World.