Encouraging the local community to benefit from our beautiful Victorian Park

The Friends of Dartmouth Park are working with Sandwell MBC to increase the footfall in the park. To achieve this the Friends host free community events in the park. We work with local primary schools to give children a sense of pride and ownership in the park. We are currently working to create a Sensory Garden in partnership with Sandwell Visually Impaired. We hold a weekly health walk to encourage the community to exercise in the fresh air and this includes using the outside gym facility.

Why the community needs this charity

Because it is a park it is welcoming to everybody, which encourages community cohesion. We visit local primary schools and present about the history of the park, the restoration, and the wildlife. Secondly,we take the children into the park where the community police advice them about personal safety issues. We aim to have a Sensory Garden in the park by September 2012. This project is not only a partnership with Sandwell Visually Impaired, but has attracted volunteers from the wider community

Results and outcomes

Since our formation 4 years ago we have produced a website, a bi-monthly newsletter, and given presentation to numerous community groups. We have got the message out to the community that the park is now a safe place to visit. This has already increased the footfall in the park. We have been giving school children a sense of ownership which has discouraged anti-social behaviour. Over the 4 years litter has been almost eradicated. Our free community events in the park have grown year on year.

Latest activities and projects

Planting native bulbs and wildflowers for a woodland walk in the dell.

Involve outside groups in a project to plant plug plants such as foxgloves, snowdrops, wild garlic and primula. In addition we will plant wild flower seeds, such as oxeye, poppies, creeping jenny and shepherd's purse. These will be planted in the existing grassy areas beneath the trees. The grass will be left unmown to create a wild area and through this area paths will be strimmed and mowed to encourage people to walk through. Annual scarecrow event with local children to collect seeds. read more