New additions to the district’s greenspaces you’ll notice this summer

This summer, residents and visitors will notice a series of thoughtful and eye‑catching improvements across the district’s parks and green spaces. From bespoke seating and vibrant planting schemes to meaningful tributes recognising local volunteers, these additions reflect a shared commitment to creating welcoming, sustainable, and people‑focused places. They tell a powerful story of collaboration between the council, and the volunteers who help our parks thrive.

While the council continues to plan and deliver wider play area improvements through the Big Parks and Play Area Project, several sites have also benefited from smaller enhancements and practical updates to improve their overall appearance and usability.

Two beautifully crafted Daffodil Benches have recently been at Purston Park in Featherstone and Vale Head Park in Hemsworth, creating striking new features within these much‑loved green spaces.

Designed with decorative daffodil panels, the benches offer more than a place to sit. Each includes a personalised plaque dedicated to the local Friends of group, recognising the invaluable role volunteers play in caring for and enhancing our parks.

The bench at Purston Park holds particular significance. It stands as recognition to the Friends of Purston Park, who for many years generously gave their time and energy to help maintain the park. Although the group has only recently finished its work, this bench ensures their dedication and hard work will be remembered for generations.

Funded jointly by the Friends Groups, with additional support from the Big Play and Parks Project, and installed by the Parks and Greenspaces Rangers, the benches are permanent reminders of what can be achieved when communities and the council work together.
Over at Haw Hill Park, visitors can now enjoy a truly unique new seating feature beside the park pond. Street Scene Project Officers have installed a bespoke, metal‑themed duck bench affectionately titled “Take a Quack Break.”

Positioned to overlook the pond, a favourite stop for visiting ducks, the bench adds both charm and functionality to the space. It invites residents and visitors to pause, relax, and enjoy the natural surroundings, reinforcing the importance of parks as places for wellbeing and everyday escape.

This improvement has been funded through the Local Capital Grants programme.

At Wakefield One, a new herbaceous planting scheme is already having a positive impact. Using planting beds alongside the greenhouse at Thornes Park, teams are able to split and replant stock, nurture plants for future projects, and fill gaps where plants may have failed.

This sustainable approach not only reduces waste and maximises resources but has also led to a noticeable increase in biodiversity. While some plants naturally die back during the winter, they return in spring, supporting pollinators and contributing to a healthier, more resilient urban landscape. 

Central to all this work are the Urban Rangers and Park Rangers, whose efforts continue to improve the look, feel, and function of parks and city‑centre spaces across the district.

Together, these initiatives reflect a shared vision: greener spaces that are inclusive, sustainable, and shaped by the communities who use them.

To find out more about the Big Parks and Play Area Project and the updates being made in your areas, visit: The Big Parks and Play Area Project - Wakefield Council