Stoneyfield Park Project

Your Trust have worked in partnership with many organisations such as Rochdale Borough Council (Public Health, Environmental Management and Highways teams), Groundworks, Get Up & Grow, Elected Members, community centres and local residents to develop a park, after many years of requests from local residents.

The Place Partnership funding has been spent on infrastructure in the park. First, a new drainage system was put in as the park had often been known to residents to be a ‘bog’ for the winter months. Next, a new playground surface was put in as tarmac instead of sand as children were throwing sand at each other which prevented usage. Then, a new sign and noticeboard was installed and residents were asked to choose an official name as people had different names for it and it helped people to know where the park was. Kissing gates were put in to prevent motorbikes from cutting across the park. A figure of eight path to engage inactive residents in gentle exercise, benches, picnic tables, hopscotch markings, fruit trees, an extension path and some planters were put in which residents engaged with planting activities. These were all direct asks from the community.

There has been system change within the community. At first, residents were frustrated saying they had been over-consulted and been asking for the park to be developed for many years and they felt that their voices had not been heard. It took a long time to gain trust. The work took a while due to covid, resources not being available and a backlog of work. Even when the first few installations went in, people just asked for more.

Another success is the newly established Friends of the Park group. Place Partnership staff have spent 2 years building and developing this group. The group have recently set up a bank account, have new committee members and have been linked into Action Together Neighbourhood Lead, working in partnership with Place Partnership staff to submit their first funding bid. They have also been signposted into the council to help co-ordinate a litterpick.

“Stoneyfield Park is a fantastic example of how Place Partnership investment can unlock previously under-used community assets to support more people to enjoy the benefits of being physically active" - Sarah Shard, Rochdale’s Place Partnership Lead.

“It has been an absolute pleasure to be part of the Active Neighbourhood Project. The children enjoyed taking part in the art workshop and playing an active part in improving their local park. It would be great to take part in more eco projects in the future”. - School Lead