Ilkley’s riverside parks are being transformed by a band of dedicated volunteers

Despite the difficulties posed by the pandemic, volunteers have worked hard in the park areas twice a week throughout the summer, following a safe working procedure was agreed with the Council.

“We are aware it’s been a tough time for everyone during the pandemic,” said Ed Duguid, chairman of the Friends group. “However, our mission has always been to improve the park areas so all visitors from far or near can enjoy them at their best. We hope in a small way we have contributed to people’s enjoyment of the parks this summer, making them feel a little better.”

Work parties are organised by Doug and Glynis Mowat and Ed, and advertised to followers each week.

“You’d see them on Tuesday evenings and Saturday mornings every week,” said Ed. “We now have an amazing number of regular volunteers. Some like to litter pick and keep the areas clean and tidy and the areas are now looking great. We believe we have the ‘The Oldest Pickers in Town’ in Beryl and Roy, who put us all to shame. We also have a dedicated team of volunteers in Charles, Paul and Peter, who edge the paths making them look smart and also wider. We also have another team who have been renovating the benches and bins, sanding them down and re-staining them, combined with a small group of keen horticulturists in Glynis, Claire, Bridget and Tony who have been looking after the flowerbeds and the area around the Riverside Hotel, which has been transformed and many people regularly sit around and chat in the sunshine when it happens (socially distanced of course!). The benches were worn and the wood beginning to rot away and the bins were rusted and worn out and looked terrible. Some were installed as a donation from the then Ilkley Festival in 1989! Now they look almost new. There is also our specialist coppicing team under Mark’s guidance, which have been trimming back overgrown trees and saplings which have until now obscured views of the river.

“A special mention has to be made of our dynamic duo, the two George’s, two fantastic teenagers who appear at one time or other in all these activities and have encouraged more of their friends to join us. So much so that we are now able to start up a youth section. We hope they will be the future of the “Friends” when the rest of us have gone out to pasture!

“It is always dangerous name check people and there are many more that join us from time to time when they are free, including Nicola, John, Judith, Steve, Christine, Anne and many others. They are all fantastic people who think about the common good and give their time freely. Without them we couldn’t do the job!”

The group, who work closely with the Council’s Parks Team, have also struck up a partnership with the Council’s Countryside Service, who have helped with training in the safe use of power tools and have lent their assistance to power wash both the steps and platform area in the Riverside Gardens. The railings there are now also repainted.

During the year FOIRP was also closely involved in negotiations with both Councils on tackling the issues which arose in the park post lockdown when the weather was very hot. More signage, more patrols by Council Wardens, greater police presence and more collections of litter and bigger bins resulted from a joint effort by all. “We thank our Deputy Chair, Pauline Munro, for keeping the pressure on all parties and giving them the benefit of her legal knowledge,” said Ed.

FOIRP are now developing an extensive wildflower area at the top of Riverside Gardens with the Council to increase biodiversity and add colour. As a first step the grass was allowed to grow longer this summer then cut in preparation for the sowing of some wildflower for next summer.

Before the summer, FOIRP negotiated several entrance improvements with the Council. The work started then stopped as a result of the pandemic. However, the entrances at East and West Holme Fields were completed to make them safer to use and the new pathway into Riverside Gardens will be completed soon. New signage will be installed as soon as the pathway is completed.

The group have applied for grants to improve the embankment area at the steps entrance and have some landscape gardeners looking at some options to make this a real feature of the park.

“There will also be, we hope, new tree and nature trails for children to follow,”, said Ed. “And of course, we are keen to get the playground project back on track with support from the Council. Our goal is to have a brand new playground with up to date and safe equipment to meet the needs of different age groups.

“We have lots of plans to make Ilkley Riverside Parks a great place to come for all age groups”.

FOIRP is a member organisation and welcomes new members. You can join and see what the group is doing at: https://friends-of-ilkley-riverside-parks.com/

You can also email the Chair of FOIRP at: foirp2@gmail.com and visit their Facebook page and Twitter feed.