main content Youth Advisory Panel begins work on new park

Keen volunteers, aged between 11 and 19, have been busily starting work on creating their very own park with the help of a £9,500 grant. The youngsters, members of the Youth Advisory Panel (YAP), will be working alongside the Council’s Parks team to transform a piece of land in Chislehurst into a green space to be enjoyed by all local residents. The Youth Advisory Panel was formed a year ago with the aim of assisting parks officers in delivering services which take into account the wants and needs of this age group. Interested members of the public should contact the Council for further information.

“We are delighted with the enthusiasm and dedication of these young people. We hope that the experience will allow them to widen their skills and cultivate new friendships, whilst taking positive action for their local community. We are keen to recruit new volunteers in this age group and work alongside them to put their ideas into reality” said Louise Simpson, Development and Partnerships Manager.

Two work days were organised for the group over the recent half term break, which allowed them to make a start on clearing the land off Kemnal Road, with help from the Environmental Task Force who are based at Scadbury Park. The YAP group, of which there are currently 18 members, are keen to implement a number of changes which will enhance the biodiversity of their green space, for example by locating bat boxes in trees. The group also plans to install a number of benches, an outdoor classroom and to learn how to hedge lay. The funding for the project, which will continue through to 2008, has come from the Youth Opportunity Fund.

Since their formation last year, the Youth Advisory Panel has been meeting on a regular basis to discuss various issues, including the design of local playgrounds for their age group. If you are aged 11-19 and think you would be interested in joining in; or if you know of someone who might be interested, please contact the Bromley Parks Helpdesk on 020 8313 4471 or email landscape.helpdesk@bromley.gov.uk

ENDS

Notes to Editors:

• Further information on the Youth Opportunity Fund is available at www.bromley.gov.uk/education/youthservice
• Bromley’s Environmental Task Force is a team of trainees gaining experience in conservation activities with a view to gaining employment.
• The new park is due to open in 2008 once the project is complete.

For media enquiries, please contact Amy Bevins, Strategy Development Officer, on 020 8313 4738, or e-mail amy.bevins@bromley.gov.uk