Blackpool’s Moor Park community garden opens creating a green space for people’s wellbeing and learning

The community garden will be located next to Moor Park’s health and leisure centre by the multi-use games area and children’s playground was officially opened on Saturday.

The vision for the garden is community involvement ranging from local residents to participation from schools, nurseries, and support charities.

The garden allows access for all abilities within the neighbourhood and offers a space for people from diverse backgrounds to come together with a sense of belonging, social connection, collaboration and sharing for their wellbeing.

The ‘Friends of Moor Park’ group was set up last year and has taken on the management and installation of the community garden which includes new bedding areas to work on, along with spaces for socialising and relaxing.

The green space will also help people develop new skills and knowledge about growing flowers, fruits and other produce. As part of the project Lancashire Adult Learning will be providing a course to volunteers from the ‘Friends of Moor Park’ and other gardeners about community horticulture which aims to bring horticultural learning to the wider community of Blackpool.

The original idea behind the project and its development was started when Glenroyd Medical health centre located by Moor Park approached Blackpool Council’s Parks and Green Open Spaces department with a proposal to create a community garden at the park. The thinking was that the medical team based at the health centre could suggest to patients to use the garden to help with their wellbeing, as the legacy of the pandemic lockdown periods had had an impact on some people’s mental health and an increased sense of isolation.

The ongoing development of the garden has now also seen partnership work with the Blackpool North Primary Care Network (PCN). The PCN is actively seeking ways to encourage people to find purpose, connect with one another and create a space for wellbeing to help prevent medical conditions that have the potential to impact negatively on lives.

Studies have found there are multiple health and social benefits that come with a community garden, as being active and close to nature has been found to reduce stress levels. The Royal Horticultural Society also promotes ‘green exercise’ such as gardening as it can help improve mental wellbeing along with cardiovascular health, strength and flexibility.

Cllr Jo Farrell, Blackpool Council Cabinet Member for Communities and Wellbeing said: “The community garden is a great addition to Moor Park and I believe that it will help to combat people’s feelings of social isolation and loneliness which can have an impact on people’s health, alongside getting youngsters and adults alike involved with green activities. A big thanks goes out to everyone who was involved in making this project happen.

“In addition, the provision of a green space will encourage the local wildlife, improve air quality, and increase plant biodiversity helping to reduce carbon emissions.”

Clare Denham, Health Inequality Lead for the Blackpool North Primary Care Network, said: “This is a wonderful community park and I am sure that many people will get a lot of pleasure and benefit from using it. Community is about fostering relationships, collaborating, and creating a shared space where everyone feels heard and respected. This space will help people interact, create new friendships and have a real impact on people’s wellbeing.”

Mr Garry Wild, a committee member of the Friends of Moor Park and volunteer, said: “I became involved and active in my local community because I had felt quite isolated following covid restrictions. This garden has given me something positive to focus on and put my energy into.

“I have met a lot of new people who are as passionate about improving things as me. My children admire what I am doing for the community spirit and have got involved. I have made new friends, learned some new skills and found a joy in gardening and social connections.”

Tools and garden bedding have been provided by Enveco (Blackpool Council’s environmental and waste management service), the Langdale Green Team, Glenroyd Medical Health Centre, Moor Park Library and the Parks and Green Open Spaces team at Blackpool Council.