Bright Park, Liverpool - Site Improvements and Maintenance (008374)

The project will enhance access, increase community engagement and improve sustainability. The park team, with partners, will expand the network of volunteers and friends to deliver capital work and promote the park to increase total beneficiaries to include daily visitors - 1200 to 1500people/month and park opening from 32 to 44hrs/wk.

Volunteers involved in landscape and biodiversity improvement works will increase. Some will support contractors to upgrade a 40m long access path into the park, do tree management work and install new external high-contrast signboards. Improvements to sustainability include replacing old compost toilets with new models, installing water capture units for recycling, and forming green roofs. Contractors will extend electricity and water to support new activities and provide pole lighting for evening programmes.

Apiary zone will be expanded, a new greenhouse will provide sheltered all-weather space for growing, learning, year-round activities.

The project supports three East Liverpool wards, among the UK’s most deprived 10% (IMD), where research informed publications say BME and low-income communities are least likely to benefit from green spaces. The project aims to address this, tackling barriers to access and wellbeing by: i) adding signage to raise park visibility ii) creating obstacle-free level path entry for wheelchair users, parents with prams iii) upgrading compost toilets to make more attractive to users iv) making free water taps available to cut use of plastic cups, and providing park lighting in areas when needed for healthier, safer visits v) mobilizing volunteers to work on improving habitats and maintain facilities, vi) reducing risks of falling trees and uncontrolled vegetation vii) installing a new greenhouse where both plants and household vegetables can be grown for community benefit. The project will reduce inequalities, promote inclusion, improve health, build resilience for greener and safer park