Building a green network in the city
Discover how the RHS is working with the Friends of Chimney Pot Park to make the most of their shared green space
In a bustling area of Salford, just a stone’s throw from Media City, lies a very distinctive space. Surrounded by rows of gleaming red brick Victorian terraces and raised up within this urban landscape to give a view over the rooftops, it’s not hard to see why Langworthy Park is better known locally as Chimney Pot Park.
And it’s not just the setting that’s special. The residents here are doing truly admirable work. They've been leading the way for change.
A sense of pride and ownership
Getting ready to start placing plants
Planting up a new flower bed
With the support of a wide range of partners, the Friends of Chimney Pot Park have created volunteering opportunities. They've increased the relevance of the space for the immediate community and engaged more people with nature and gardening.
RHS Community Outreach Advisor, Holly Silvester, has supported the project since spring 2019, through the RHS Greening Great Britain programme.
“The Friends ran a series of consultation events to ask other residents about their vision for the park,” said Holly, “then they worked collaboratively to make these changes. They’ve begun to noticeably reduce barriers to engagement, and they’re re-kindling a real sense of pride and ownership over this area.”
People power in action
“There's been a lot of partners involved in this project,” said Holly, “as well as supporting the Friends group with horticultural advice, I’ve helped to join the dots between the Council, service providers, residents, community groups, a local youth service and schools.”
Sowing natural wildflower patches
The park’s existing play area has been prone to vandalism and misuse but now the park is better cared for, residents are keen to introduce a new and natural play space to allow more children to enjoy time outdoors. Pupils from nearby Lark Hill Primary School have been involved in the park’s transformation from the start, helping to plant up wildflower patches. Teachers have been key to consultations about the creation of the new play area, which they hope to use as a forest school.
“From my point of view,” said Holly, “this project is all about helping to get people outside and into their local green space. We’re aiming to connect groups with a shared interest in growing, and introducing RHS Garden Bridgewater as a valuable place for the community.”
Planting a swathe of spring crocus
During the project, the Friends of Chimney Pot Park and other community groups were invited to attend a volunteer day at RHS Garden Bridgewater, where they helped to plant 40,000 crocus bulbs.
“This enabled them to hone their horticultural skills and meet other like-minded groups,” continued Holly. “It was also their welcome to the new RHS Garden and a chance to make their mark on it.”
Through their links with the RHS, five specimen trees were donated to the Friends by Harris Bugg, the landscape architects of the new Kitchen Garden at RHS Garden Bridgewater. A celebratory planting day was organised and attended by Charlotte Harris of Harris Bugg. Through milestones like this, residents have begun to feel their work is being noticed and appreciated.
“There are numerous times people have been jogging or walking by and said thank you to us for doing what you're doing,” said Simon, Chair of the Friends of Chimney Pot Park.
Building positive friendships
An important hub for volunteers
“Through the amazing efforts of highly motivated residents,” said Holly. “Chimney Pot Park has become a central point for the Greening Langworthy Hub, as that evolves. Through linking with Salford City Council and their brilliant Parks team, plus other businesses and community groups, the Hub has begun to take shape and the Park now acts as a central green space that connects all these surrounding projects.”
