Thursday 26th November 2020
Find out about GoodGym TaskForce
Report written by Nicola Gover
We'd been asked by the Council to help with clearing leaves from the essential areas in various parks to make them safe for users, so 10 intrepid GoodGymmers found their way through the fog to assemble for the last of our forays into West Bank Park.
Mitch and Rich immediately grabbed the leaf blowers, and the rest of us got the rakes, brushes and giant clappy leaf hands (my personal favourite) and set to it - focussing on finishing off the play area started by the previous day's team.
A few little subgroups started gathering large piles of leaves at well-spaced intervals, which the leaf-handers then heaped into two large sacks for dragging to the compost heaps. The blowers focused on fully clearing the paths and only occasionally blew leaves at us. We made quick work of the already heavy wet leaves and soon only the area by the zipwire was left to clear. Suddenly there was a delighted squeal, with possibly a hint of panic, as Mitch came careening past on the zipwire, leaf blower still attached. One way of getting closer to the leaf action I guess!
After a quick distanced photo there was just time for a quick spin in the world's best/most sick-making play equipment (depending on your preferences) before we all dizzily disappeared back into the fog, mission accomplished.
Thanks to Mitch for the pun, and Leanne for the daylight before photo.
Conservation work, edible planting, annual fairs and Christmas carols, pop-up cafes, fundraising to develop the park and playground, campaigning against cuts to the park's budgets, locking and unlocking the park each day and night, involving the community in decision-making about the park, children's and family activities, volunteering opportunities, etc etc!!
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