East Leeds is home to an array of greenspace and parks. Improvement of these spaces has been prioritised as part of the regeneration programme, and is managed via a greenspace improvement plan developed in partnership with Leeds City Council's Parks and Countryside Service.
Wykebeck Valley
The Wykebeck Valley is a green corridor linking Roundhay Park to the Aire Valley, passing through some of East Leeds' most disadvantaged areas and highlighted for major improvements.
The Parks and Green Space Strategy for Leeds recognises the Wykebeck Valley as a 'flagship for future leisure, recreational, educational provision and sustainable transport routes'.
A partnership including the Wyke Beck Valley Trust, the voluntary group set up to promote the benefits of the valley, has published a framework document that sets out a vision and development priorities for the Valley to 2020.
£390,000 for Wyke Beck Valley - enhancing East Leeds' green corridor
A successful bid for Access 2 Nature funding led by Leeds City Council in partnership with the Wyke Beck Valley Community Forum, Groundwork, Leeds Ahead, British Trust for Conservation Volunteers and Leeds Voice has helped create a pot of money worth over £500,000 over the next three years.
Wyke Beck Valley Pride, the banner under which improvements will be managed, will enhance and improve access to the Beck and its surrounding environment for communities in Halton Moor, Seacroft and Gipton.
Two new jobs have been created to encourage volunteering and co-ordinate a range of projects. The Wyke Beck Valley Pride Project Co-ordinator, John Kilburn and Ranger Phil Thorpe will work on projects providing
- Habitat creation, path side improvements and signage projects
- A comprehensive programme of work with schools and the public to increase Valley use and ensure that people can get involved with project design
- Activity programme to include
- Autumn and Spring watch events
- A junior Rangers' Club
- Health and wildlife walks
- Wildlife surveys and training for them
- Nature Conservation events
- Corporate volunteering events
- School visits