Community Open Spaces

Wade’s owns a number of other open spaces where there is active involvement by local people helping Leeds City Council to care for these special places.

 

At Gledhow Valley Woods a very active Friends Group organises regular work parties, to help make the woods a safer and more attractive place to walk, and to enhance habitats for wildlife.

In January 2019, after two years of planning, The Friends secured funding to secure the future of Gledhow Valley Lake and encourage wider community use of the area. They were awarded £50,000 from the National Heritage Lottery Fund ‘Heritage on your doorstep’ programme, a further £25,000 from the Government’s Pocket Parks Programme, and £20,000 from Wade’s Charity. Leeds City Council Parks & Countryside Service and Flood Risk Management made in kind contributions. Groundwork UK were engaged to draw up the plans and project manage the capital works.

The physical works to restore the badly silted lake and improve biodiversity were carried out in November and December 2019.  Contractors removed 750 cubic metres of silt from the north end of the lake and deposited behind a permeable membrane fence to create a ‘wetland bed’ along the northern bank of the lake. This has been planted with native marginal & wetland non-invasive plants. Some trees overhanging the lake were felled, and branches which had fallen into the water were removed. The Friends organised volunteer work parties to use this timber to create a ‘dead hedge’ (branches weaved around upright posts) between the lakeside path and the new wetland planting. Native climbing plants are being planted along the hedge, to create interest and yet more habitat for wildlife.

For people using the lake and woods, new benches have been installed, paths improved, and interpretation boards created to explain the history and wildlife of the area. Local people, community groups and local schools have all participated in a lively programme of community events and activities. The Friends’ hard work in bringing about this transformation has already been rewarded with many more people coming to enjoy the area.

 

In Headingley, The Community Orchard Group planted their first community orchard at St Chads Memorial Garden.

In Seacroft, the Village Hall Committee funded the re-roofing and provision of new doors to the shelter in the garden and also painted the railings and refurbished the benches of King George V Garden, alongside the Village Hall.