Residents and members of the wider community came together at a summer fun day to share their ideas on how a local green space could be improved for the future.
Hosted by LiveWest and Clarion, the event in St Budeaux, Plymouth, featured free football sessions with Argyle Community Trust, a bouncy castle, face painting, cream teas and pasties, while providing an opportunity for local people to discuss how the space could become a more welcoming and better-used community asset.
More than 150 people attended throughout the day, demonstrating interest in the future of the area and the importance of involving residents in shaping plans for their neighbourhood.
Our resident, Adele Myers, said: “It’s the summer holidays and costs all add up, you run out of ideas, so having fun days like this really helps get everyone out of the house and keeps the children busy.
“LiveWest is doing the fun day for a good reason, keeping the kids happy and entertained, and offering activities that are a bit different.”
Our resident, Scott Wardle, said: “It's great to see this area being used. The kids have been playing football with Argyle Community Trust, there's a bouncy castle, free drinks and free books.”
“Events like this create a real sense of community. They bring neighbours together rather than people keeping to themselves.”
“With the cost of everything going up, free activities like this make a real difference for families who might not otherwise be able to afford a day out.”
Feedback gathered during the event will help inform plans for the area, ensuring any improvements reflect the needs of residents.
Councillor Josh McCarty, who is involved in the consultation, said: “LiveWest, Clarion, Councillor Jon Dingle and I have been working together to see how we can reinvigorate this space. This event is a really important part of helping shape this.
”We may not be able to achieve everything people would like to see, but hopefully we can make meaningful improvements and create an outdoor space the community can be proud of.“
Alison Knight, Community Connector for LiveWest, added: "This is a much overlooked and underused green space. This event has given us the opportunity to speak directly with residents and hear their ideas."
”We've had a fantastic day, gathered lots of ideas and had some really positive conversations. We are hopeful this feedback will help shape improvements for the area.“