By Councillor hopeful for bright future of Sidney Park
After a recent unfortunate headline regarding the park, Councillor Marie Green remains positive and hopeful for all the fantastic community projects happening in the park, including the Jubilee Garden and the tireless work by locals to keep the park clean and safe.
An unfortunate discovery was made lately, regarding an animal carcass found in the park, though locals and organisers constantly try to improve the area and lives for the community. Still, sometimes issues arise, but they shouldn’t tarnish the great effort.
“I was very disappointed to see the recent misleading headlines regarding Black Magic sacrifices in Sidney Park there is nothing to suggest any of these offences have taken place actually in the park.
“It is a shame that nothing is reported of all the positive stories happening there at the moment with steps being taken by residents themselves with the support of the Big Local and Cleethorpes in Bloom.
“Residents actually getting in the pond itself to clean it and ensuring activities are being developed with some of our younger residents.” Councillor Marie Green said.
“One of the most important steps forwards is a litter pick in there led initially by Jenny from Vanel and Gareth Kaye. Their Green Influencers group visits the park weekly and completes a park-wide litter pick which I think is amazing that young people show such concern. They have also been gardening and are developing a new micro park within the area of the football pavilion.
“I complete my own litter picks as I realise how difficult it is for young people to learn the value of a clean environment and recognise the strength of putting litter in bins. Unfortunately, we have no bins actually in the park itself, they have been taken away by our council.
“The Big local and the residents are themselves trying to identify and promote the activities we have had in the past. Where are our youth clubs and Sure Starts, no wonder our kids get into trouble? What is our local council doing to support kids and parents.” she added.
A community litter also regularly takes place at Sidney Park, usually on Monday’s by local children concerned about their local area.
The group consists of children from local schools in the area, coming together to tackle the clean-up in the park.
There has been praise for the schoolchildren taking concerns for their community and environment into their hands.
There was information posted on social media about the event, which runs every Monday and they meet at the Football Club, at 4 pm.
The group provides free PPE to volunteers and runs every week at Sidney Park.
Councillor Marie Green, a representative voice of the area, has been concerned about the state of the park and its safety.
“Given the fact that the local children are taking such an interest in the environment they are living in, it seems dreadful to leave the pond in the state it is.
“I have put in several requests for it to be cleared but this is the state of the pond the day after I was told by council officers it had been cleared.” She said referencing reports that the pond had become littered after the clean-up.
“We have also asked for areas of the children’s play area to be repaired as I feel there are so many trip hazards in there.
“It seems so unfair that we are being asked to encourage children to be responsible for their environment and we are exposing them to so many risks.” She added.
