Neighbourhood management in action
Re-vamping Princes Park, Irlam
The community of Irlam and Cadishead identified the improvement of parks and open spaces in the area in their 2001 community action plan.
Princes Park was identified as a priority as it had become run down and there was a strong feeling that it should, once again become the hub of the community.
A parks and open spaces group was set up in 2002 as a sub-group of the community committee. The group consists of local residents, the neighbourhood manager, community development, health development, sports development, youth and environmental services officers, a local councillor and a police officer. In 2006 a ranger also began to work in the area, funded by the community committee and local businesses, and also joined the group.
The group produced a joint vision and this has driven them ever since. Their achievements include the formation of a friends of the park group, a BMX skate boarding youth group, a junior fishing group, involving people with learning difficulties from Princes Park Garden Centre and involving various members of the business community in parks activities. There have also been considerable environmental improvements to Princes Park, Cadishead Park and other open spaces and educational activities such as bug hunts, bat walks, bird watching and tree and bulb planting schemes all take place, co-ordinated by the ranger and the friends group.
The work has contributed to improving health and promoting social inclusion, and has reduced anti social behaviour by providing young people with an attractive meeting place. A parent commented 'this is the best thing that has happened in the district for a long time.'
0161-603 6800 
