Agenda item

Find out more about what’s happening in Hull Road. 

Jonathan Dent from St Nicholas Fields will give an update on the work in the beck and answer residents’ questions.

Jonathan Dent updated on the Beck in Hull Road Park

The Environment Agency and the Council are funding this project.

The project has lowered the weirs so that the beck will return to its natural state creating better quality water flow and better habitat for plants and wildlife. However, removing sections of the weirs exposed undisclosed rubbish overnight and raised concerns from residents about this issue.

Volunteers working with the project have removed the rubbish and together with the community, are adding grass and planting making it wildlife rich. The area will flood in winter but will dry out in the summer. Water voles have moved into the stream and it’s already started to change, there are more fish and possibly otters.

The project wants to provide educational sessions and involve schools and community groups. The concrete banking will stay but cover over time as the landscape changes. The Beck is more accessible than it was.

Concerns were raised from residents about their gardens going down to the bank edge, as this area is now exposed and has created easy access for people to get into their gardens. Jonathan shared he is talking to people about their concerns and what can be done.

Councillor Pavlovic asked how the lighting project might impact on the wildlife. Jonathan said it would have some impact, but the lighting will make the park more accessible and make people feel safe. Solar lighting is the best type to put in the park, it will be on sensor and will not be on all the time.

Maria works at St Nicks and links in with the work that Jonathan has done, improving habits that connect to Hull Road and Tang Hall beck. The St Nicks team are holding community engagement sessions.

Update on what’s happening in Hull Road Park

From Dave Meigh, City of York Council:

·        Choose 2 Youth have secured a long-term future of the café

·        St Nicks are now in control of the beck restoration

·        Ward funded noticeboards are due to be delivered to CYC this week

·        The ward has progressed the installation of the new lights. However the installation date is not yet confirmed

·        The ward funded fence has been installed splitting the basketball court from the 5 a side court

·        Basketball goals on order

·        TCV and Probation Service (Community Service) continue to care for the park  

From Rachel Earnshaw, The Conservation Volunteers (TCV):

·        Thursday volunteers still meeting weekly 10am till 1pm looking after the flower beds, litter picking and caring for the park. Average of 12 volunteers come each week.

·        Currently into second phase of Health Tree Foundation bid to support green social prescribing (volunteering in the park) for 2 years. Alternate Wednesdays till end October then second session March till June – food growing group part of the York Mind Wellbeing Programme.

·        We are launching our new Wildlife Coffee Mornings in Hull Road Park Friday 15th October, a chance for people to come together to enjoy some company and find out about local wildlife. Open to everyone and free to join!! No knowledge of wildlife needed, this is about sharing and learning and getting closer to nature for the benefit of individuals wellbeing. Option of having a tasty treat from the café.

·        The coffee mornings will be on the third Friday of the month. Funding through Ways to Wellbeing for 6 months.

·        To complement the coffee mornings, we will be running a Friday volunteering session 10am till 12.30pm in the park on the other Fridays in the month starting the week after the first coffee morning (Friday 22nd October). Supported by the Ward.

·        Young Rangers starts Saturday 16^th October – once a month on the third Saturday of the month 9 to 12/13 years 10.30am -12.30pm. Children will design a logo for the park, help care for the park, gardening, craft activities and games and making friends. Taking some ownership of their local park. Funded partly by local trusts funding currently for approx. 7/8 months.

·         HAF healthy holidays and had some activities days in the park over the summer holidays.