THE Caxton Park Community Group held their second work party on one of the hottest days of September.

The focus was on tidying and painting the playpark and ten adults and accompanying children spent a morning weeding, sweeping, scraping and painting to bring much needed colour back to the park.

The group was established earlier and is the brainchild of local resident Jonathan Joslin, whose daughter Chloe is a regular user of the park. The group has been successful in raising awareness of the value of the park and creating interest in improving the facilities and planting. The group is being supported by Otley Town Council and its chair, Richard Hughes, who is also one of the West Chevin Ward Councillors.

In the spring the community group helped Wildlife Friendly Otley plant a small orchard with a variety of fruit trees and wildflowers. More recently, they obtained a small amount of Town Council money to pay for the correct type of paint for a first ‘Paint the Park’ event.

Cllr Hughes said: "Established when the surrounding houses were built between the wars, the park has served generations of children, who have used the play equipment and the grass areas for ball games. Perhaps the fact that the name is now uncertain – is it Caxton or Westbourne Park? – sums up the recent neglect of the space, both because Leeds Council has had insufficient funds to improve it and because many local residents have not realised what a brilliant space it could be. The play equipment is decades old, was looking tired and was beginning to rust. Sadly, the roundabout had to be removed earlier this year as it was damaged and dangerous; there were no City Council funds available to replace it. The space around the playpark has been mown, but its potential is otherwise unrealised.

"This is now changing. The recent workdays have seen the orchard successfully established, the worst areas of paint refreshed in the playpark and the place tidied up. The Community Group has a Facebook page for latest news and information, has plans to organise two work parties a year and is asking for ideas about how to improve the park further. Fundraising for a replacement roundabout, new cushioned tarmac, and a small set of goalposts for the grassy area are suggestions already made."

Jonathan Joslin said: “We are delighted at the support we have had from the local community, Town Councillors, Wildlife Friendly Otley and Leeds City Council. The difference to the park is already very noticeable. We would love more people to get involved.”

Cllr Hughes added: “It was a pleasure to work alongside keen volunteers at the two work parties this year. It is great to see how small amounts of funding from the Town Council can be used so effectively by the community.”