Park not worthy of Green Flag award, say visitors

Batley residents have said a public park is not worthy of a coveted award, having become more "disgusting and unsafe" than ever.

Wilton Park was one of 118 locations across Yorkshire and the Humber to be awarded a Green Flag, meaning it met rigorous standards for safety, accessibility, environmental management and community engagement.

Following an incident in which a memorial bench was burnt, some visitors to the park said it was in a poor state and did not meet the award standards.

A Kirklees Council spokesperson said it took "huge pride" in its parks but was "working within reduced budgets and resources" on upkeep such as grass-cutting.

Regular visitors Ralph Halgate, 76, and Martin Woods, 70, have both lived in Batley since they were young boys.

Halgate said that "in his day" the park boasted a beautiful boating lake, a cafe and carefully managed lawns, but was now a "disgusting" shell of itself.

"The boating lake used to be lovely, but now it's just full of empty bottles," he said.

"You see rats crawling everywhere. If you go [up to the tennis courts], there's a bench that was burnt to pieces only last week.

"It's disgusting, and it's unsafe. There is no pride."

Other residents told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) this is not the first time they have complained.

Peter Fawcett, 77, an ex-gardener, said he feared the Green Flag award was being "held up as evidence" by the council that the park was in good condition.

According to him, there was "a scene of constant declining standards within our parks".

"Parks matter, and looking through rose-tinted spectacles does nothing to improve them," he said.

"[The Green Flag award] does not support the evidence that is clear to see."

Addressing the burnt bench, executive director for place at Kirklees Council, David Shepherd, confirmed debris had been removed.

"We have huge pride in our parks in Kirklees and it is disappointing to see such reckless behaviour," he said.

"This bench was a place for reflection and for families to remember their loved ones. Our thoughts go out to those for whom this bench was special."

Previously, Shepherd also offered assurance that the local authority was "working through grass-cutting routes across the district", explaining that the "recent warm weather" had played a large role in the unkempt grass and that the "herbaceous borders" would soon be tidied.

"Like many councils, we are working within reduced budgets and resources, which means fewer annual bedding plants have been planted this year," he added.

"However, the displays we do have will continue to be cared for and maintained to a high standard."

The council has been approached for further comment by the LDRS.

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