Leeds

Sports in Cross Flats Park - awarded £7,000

The Barclays SiteSavers project in Cross Flats Park, in the Beeston area of Leeds helped to regenerate the park and establish it as a sports facility for local people. There was much work to be done as the poor state of the existing facilities had meant they could not be used properly and encouraged anti-social behaviour.

With Groundwork’s help dilapidated facilities were moved and a multi use games area installed in their place. The project involved young local people from a variety of cultural backgrounds in sporting activities as a way of getting them enthused and involved in the project. In addition to this sports area, the community wished to see the park cleared of fly-tipped waste and made more attractive through planting.

With the success of summer and half term youth programmes young people were able to form a football and cricket team. Specific activities and events were promoted and took place in the park.

This project allowed partnerships with the community to grow and help to integrate different minority groups with each other. Vandalism in the area has reduced significantly. Residents feel reassured due to the increased sporting activity taking place, providing young people with new skills, opportunities for personal development, team work and increased social interaction.