Our Projects.
Anyone is welcome to join in with our Projects and we will always try to ensure that there are jobs suitable for all ages and abilities. Children attending must always be under the guidance of parents or appropriate adults.
Ponds
From 2024 we are developing two ponds to benefit wildlife. The first is in the willow copse north of the playground - we are constructing a 'dead hedge' and fence to prevent accidental access, then we will dig out what was once a pond shown on maps 100 years ago. The second will be near the spring north-west of the western copse.
Gates and railings
We would like to restore the gates and railing at the park entrance, at the top of St Chad's Drive. They are very damaged and corroded, and one panel of railings is missing. The stone piers and railings are listed grade II*. Before the Becketts Park housing estate was built in the 1930s they stood on Otley Road next to the stone lodge (still there at the bottom of St Chad's Drive). We need to get the work costed then find sources of funding.
Tree planting
We have planted hundreds of native tree and shrub saplings, to add more variety and wildlife value to our woodlands and hedge.
Bulb Planting
We have planted thousands of bulbs funded by St Chad's Small Grants Fund, and money donated by our Ward Councillors.
Bench building
We have designed our own benches which we construct ourselves, so that park users can sit down for a rest or to enjoy the views across the park and over Kirkstall Valley.
New benches
We have installed our two Wades Charity-sponsored benches. Have you sat on them yet?
Litter Picking - willing helpers!
Our Community Work Days will usually include some litter picking and there are never enough volunteers.
Every day is a litter picking day and we want to thank the many people who do a little each time they visit our park.
Planting our Commemorative Tree
The Friends of Beckett Park Group was formed in Autumn 2014.
We now have 70 members. In February 2015 we planted an English Oak tree to commemorate the formation of the Group.
We have the support of local residents and Councillors and together we can make our local park a bustling community amenity.
Your ideas
We'd love to hear your ideas for other improvements to the park. Get in touch to tell us what you think.