Sefton Council’s Green Sefton service manages over 30 parks across the borough, as well as 61 play areas and 183 open space. This is done with the support of a number of partners including many volunteers across the borough.
From members of Friends of Parks groups to community groups carrying our beach cleans to those helping with the maintenance of Sefton’s beautiful coastline, Green Sefton is supported by hundreds of volunteers. During the Covid-19 outbreak groups have been able to meet to work on Sefton’s local green spaces, but before that they were incredibly busy.
Here are just a couple of examples:
During February this year, volunteers from the Friends of Kings Gardens and Green Sefton worked together to improve King’s Gardens in Southport. This much needed Spring clean included removing litter, tidying walkways and cutting back undergrowth.
Below: Friends of Kings Gardens helping to maintain Southport’s 17-acre Town Centre park.
Also in February, at the opposite end of Sefton, the Friends of Derby Park supported Green Sefton and other local groups Taking Root and Natural Alternatives to work on Derby Park in Bootle. Together they cut back shrubs, cleared pathways and picked up litter.
Below: Volunteers from the Friends of Derby Park are joined by colleagues from Green Sefton, Taking Root and Natural Alternatives.
Due to the social distancing rules that came into place as a result of Covid-19, the groups who operate across Sefton have been unable to meet to carry on their volunteering.
However, staff from Sefton Council’s Leisure Department, have been supporting Green Sefton in recent weeks to help litter-pick Sefton’s parks and greenspaces. Due to the closure of swimming pools and leisure centres, staff have carried out litter-picking, and ensured the health and safety of Sefton’s parks and greenspaces. Leisure volunteers have gone the extra step, to support additional activities, such as path brushing and beach litter-picking.
Hundreds of volunteers support Green Sefton every year, and there is no better time than Volunteers’ Week to thank them for all their hard work!