Resident calls for creation of 'Friends of Pitmaston Park

Sue Smith, a resident of Vernon Park Road, in St John's, is calling for the creation of the Friends of Pitmaston Park group to help keep the park maintained and organised. 

Mrs Smith also said she feels the park would benefit from more investment "to make this special place even better".

She said: "I think it needs some investment, new seating, picnic benches, tree planting, cycle racks and a group willing to work together to make this special place even better.

"I have written to Worcester City Council to ask them for help to support a new Friends of Pitmaston Park group. 

"Together, we could keep the park clean and have some fun doing it.

"A friends group would also be a good campaigning group to protect the park from any unwanted development."

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Cllr Richard Udall, Worcester City and Worcestershire County councillor for St John's ward.

Worcester News previously reported that the park was branded a “huge wasted opportunity” for its lack of facilities for young people in a council play area survey.

One person even went as far as to say the much-used park and “wonderful space” is now “nothing more than a dog’s toilet".

Cllr Richard Udall, Worcester City and Worcestershire County councillor for St John's ward, explained what he would like to see done with the park.

He said: "It would be good if residents could gain some sense of ownership.

"I would support and join a new friends of the park group, which would be able to campaign for more investment for the park. 

"I would like to see more seating and picnic benches, it would also be good to have some local apple trees planted, especially the 'Pitmaston Pineapple', which is an apple tree which was first grown in the area and named after Pitmaston House." 

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A spokesperson for Worcester City Council said: “Our Community Engagement Team are advising a resident who wishes to set up a Friends of Pitmaston Group.

"The park is owned by Worcestershire County Council and therefore any requests for additional facilities would be for their consideration and approval.

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“We have recently consulted on the future provision of play space in the City and will be reviewing the feedback received over the coming weeks, with a view to developing a Worcester Play Plan that will set out how the council intends to invest in children’s and youth play provision over the forthcoming years.

"We will be engaging with Worcestershire County Council in respect of the feedback received from the consultation in respect of Pitmaston Park.”