Taking Care of the Environment - Award Winning Team
Among the 2003 'We Can Do It' award winners promoted by our own local newspaper The News, were the Friends of Leesland Park. The voluntary group nominated by Councillor Peter Chegwyn winning the Taking Care of the Environment Award.
The 'Friends' group was formed in 1988 following a series of public meetings on the future of the former Moreland Road allotment site that had become overgrown and something of a fire risk. Public opinion was for a community park, the name Leesland Park the preferred option of those who attended these meetings.
Since that time a considerable amount of professional and volunteer time has been put in on the site to develop a park that offers something for all amongst our community. Bark filled paths and open grassland provide opportunities for free play, dog walking and gentle exercise. The installation of Gosport's first and we think still the best skatepark along with a children's playarea gave the younger members of our community their own area. A sensory garden, English orchard, bog garden, conservation area are just some of the remaining complimentary facilities.
Away from the obvious developments we have planted many hundreds of trees and hedge plants, wild flowers and daffodils. The orchard area contains apple, crab apple, pear, quince and meddler trees.
Originality and community involvement have played an important part in developing the park, the children's play area was for example themed from a local building, to facilitate a degree of ownership a graffiti workshop funded by Gosport Borough Council allowed local youths the chance to paint the skatepark while developing street art skills with a professional artist. Unique wooden benches and totem pole markers adorn the Sensory Garden and a glazed tile 'soundseat' has pride of place in the orchard.
The 'Friends' group was formed in 1988 following a series of public meetings on the future of the former Moreland Road allotment site that had become overgrown and something of a fire risk. Public opinion was for a community park, the name Leesland Park the preferred option of those who attended these meetings.
Since that time a considerable amount of professional and volunteer time has been put in on the site to develop a park that offers something for all amongst our community. Bark filled paths and open grassland provide opportunities for free play, dog walking and gentle exercise. The installation of Gosport's first and we think still the best skatepark along with a children's playarea gave the younger members of our community their own area. A sensory garden, English orchard, bog garden, conservation area are just some of the remaining complimentary facilities.
Away from the obvious developments we have planted many hundreds of trees and hedge plants, wild flowers and daffodils. The orchard area contains apple, crab apple, pear, quince and meddler trees.
Originality and community involvement have played an important part in developing the park, the children's play area was for example themed from a local building, to facilitate a degree of ownership a graffiti workshop funded by Gosport Borough Council allowed local youths the chance to paint the skatepark while developing street art skills with a professional artist. Unique wooden benches and totem pole markers adorn the Sensory Garden and a glazed tile 'soundseat' has pride of place in the orchard.