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Who we are
We are a local non-profit group based in Garston, Liverpool. We formed to help improve and maintain our local park. Throughout the year, we run various events and fundraisers to help raise money for the park. We do this for the community, and anyone within the local area and beyond, to make sure our park is the best it can be. We want to keep Garston Park as somewhere people are happy to visit, whether that’s a quick walk with the dog, or an afternoon playing sports on the field. Your help and interest is greatly appreciated, the group is for everyone who wants to be involved and play a part in making our community the best it can be. So, don’t be shy, drop us a message on our contact page. We would love to hear your thoughts and opinions and always welcome new members.
Latest News/What We Do
The boggy areas of the park have been very boggy this rainy year but the flag iris we planted previously enjoy these conditions and have grown and flowered well and we hope to plant more.
In mid-2022 we began Project poo to raise awareness of the incidence of dog fouling in the park and on approaches to the park. We’d all like to see more dog owners picking up after their dogs but, regrettably, this is a long-term aspiration. We received a great deal of support from local councillors and city council officers and hopefully the message will get home eventually.
When we actually buy plants and bulbs for the park, we try to use local suppliers and Aigburth Hall Nursery is always very helpful. Most trees we have planted have come from the Woodland Trust, as well as several private donations from individuals.
Fundraising has been successful this year with various grants received, support from councillors through the neighbourhood fund and we also benefitted from the filming at Gaston Church.
Monthly litter picks continued, as ever. Our numbers are swelled frequently by a youth contingent from Long Lane church. We now have some very welcome and dedicated attendees at these clean ups, who all make a great difference to the park. We carry these out for one hour once a month on the first Sunday morning of the month. Equipment provided, just bring your own gloves. It’s rewarding healthy exercise.
So, slowly but surely, we make progress, and at the very least, raise the profile of the park. No longer dismissible as Long Lane Recreation Ground, there is considerable pride locally in our park. The Friends’ resources in terms of people and funding are small but we have a good deal of goodwill, for which we are very grateful but would like to recruit more, for specific tasks:
Children’s wooden play area – this was funded and commissioned by the Friends group, but we need volunteers for a working group to do maintenance work. This involves clipping the grass around it regularly and wood work when it needs repairing.
Planters in Garston ward – the Friends maintain a few planters in the ward and need more volunteers to water and look after them. We will provide plants but need people to look after them. You could be responsible for one, or more planters, so if you are a wannabe gardener, here’s your chance.
Planting – seasonally, we plant trees and bulbs and would always welcome more help. Ask to become a member and you’ll be notified of activities.
Next Events
Next litter pick is Sunday the 1st December please meet at the swing park car park at 11.00 am and wear sensible footwear.
