This is the corner of Charlie Cake Park, a gorgeous little triangular pocket park near where I live. Last year we enjoyed having Playbox here for 6 months. The park is maintained by volunteers as it is common land. The Armley Common Rights Trust look after a number of common spaces in Armley and host regular clear ups, planting days, and put on Easter Egg hunts and free hanging basket days. They have a number of stalwarts who turn up in all weather to weed, to litter pick, to clear the gullies and more. I’m sure they would love more people to get involved. Here’s the Facebook group if you fancy it.

Last year whilst Playbox was in Charlie Cake Park we facilitated a Minecraft event with artist and friend Gemma Latham which encouraged the young people to map the park, trees & railings before recreating it on the Leeds Minecraft map. Much to my delight the parents of one of the lads counted all the railings (2000+) and we got talking about how we could make a start on bringing them back to their former glory.

Tactically I guess we (as in anybody who had the inclination in collaboration with the trust, if they thought it was a good idea) might just get on with making the most of where we live. Get some advice on the best way to clean down a railing, get our own primer, get a colour paint that makes the park look tidy. What happens if I/we get bored, run out of steam, or it costs too much? Would half a park painted look worse than the lovely shabby peeling patina we have now? What if it’s better to fundraise or work with an agency that does this kind of community based project and do it properly, replace sections that are broken and bowing?

Be interested to hear your thoughts.